EU: Europeans want research boost

Europeans are more interested in science than sport and want EU research boosted, a new survey has found. A 'Eurobarometer' report published last week notes that nearly 80% of Europeans say they are interested in scientific discoveries and technological developments, compared with 65% interested in sport.

The report says more than 70% of Europeans think EU-funded research will become more important in the future while 57% say scientists should put more effort into communicating about their work and 66% believe governments should do more to interest young people in scientific issues.

Europeans overwhelmingly recognise the benefits and importance of science but many also express fears about the risks from new technologies and the power that knowledge gives to scientists.

This Special Eurobarometer survey was conducted through face-to-face interviews with more than 31,000 people in 32 countries in January and February. The aim was to evaluate European citizens' general attitudes towards science and technology, and to see if their beliefs had changed significantly from a previous survey in 2005.

Research, Innovation and Science Commissioner Máire Geoghegan-Quinn said: "The success of the Europe 2020 Strategy depends on cutting-edge science to keep Europe competitive. In turn, that means ordinary Europeans need to back science and keep the pressure up on government and on industry to invest in it.

"These results show a very high awareness of the importance of science. But they also show that both politicians - like me - and scientists themselves need to explain better what we are doing and why."

At the EU27 level, 61% of people consider themselves very or moderately well-informed about scientific discoveries and technological developments, and 74% believe collaborative research across Europe funded by the European Union will become more and more important.

More than six in 10 Europeans believe collaborative research is more creative and efficient while a majority support cooperation between member states and, overall, they are fairly optimistic about science and technology.

Indeed, three in four respondents in the survey agreed or tended to agree that, as a result of science and technology, there would be more opportunities for future generations. There was, however, a slight shift towards scepticism compared with the previous 2005 survey.

Europeans have a positive view of the effect of involvement with science on young people but feel that governments are not doing enough to stimulate wide interest.

More efforts by governments to stimulate women to be involved with science is seen as necessary and as having a potentially a positive effect. Almost two in three Europeans believe getting more women into research positions would improve the way research is conducted.