We are born curious. We try, fail and figure things out. Research translates wonder into knowledge we can use to take society forward. Research leads to innovation and innovation. But do we trust the research if we ourselves experience a different reality?
Trust in research does not come from one single explanation. Trust is built over time through systematic and verifiable methods. Openness, curiosity, willingness to listen and try something new, are all crucial elements to this.
When we are curious, we also maintain our doubt and wonder. By doing this, we kind of also take care of some of the most important things in our society.
Research does not always provide us with clear answers
Research is time-consuming. Many of us seek quick and clear answers. Research often gives us nuances. Research is about asking questions, testing ideas in a systematic way, making mistakes and learning from them. This is how we get new knowledge.
When research is presented as fixed and reliable answers, many people can become sceptical and lose trust. It often creates more trust to say:
"We know this. We are uncertain about this. And we are now investigating this further."
Research needs to be verified and research results must be available to those who want to examine them in detail.
Research may meet resistance
Sometimes research meets resistance because it challenges attitudes, experiences and identity. At the same time, we live in a time of stronger contradictions. This also applies to people's opinions on research.
Today, the level of trust varies more than before. It varies between
- different groups
- different topics
- those who feel that research concerns them, and those who feel that it does not
The level of trust is not just about knowledge. It is also about the level of trust in the people, institutions, companies and processes behind the knowledge.
The solution to this is not to raise our voices or reinforce our contradictions. The solution is openness, dialogue and respect for the fact that people can disagree and that there can be several answers and different solutions.
Research needs to be relevant to people
Some people find research as something rather remote or distant. They experience it as something that experts far from one's own everyday life do. When research is not perceived as relevant to one's own life, the level of trust is also eroding.
Research must provide us with knowledge that can be used for innovation, new solutions, better products, services and processes.
Research is not isolated from society as a whole. It is an integrated part of society and our everyday lives. People's participation in research is absolutely crucial.
Think, for example, of health research. The health services you receive have been developed because people have participated in the research.
At the Research Council, we want to be part of showing
- how research is conducted
- why research must take time
- that research provides solutions for the benefit of large and small challenges for all of us