Australians overwhelmingly believe that science should drive policy decisions, both as the path out of the Covid pandemic and for the country's economic benefit and sustainability.
That support is higher in Australia than in many other nations according to the latest 3M State of Science Index survey of 17 countries, released on Thursday for the start of National Science Week.
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While politicians and public health officials continue to battle against misinformation and vaccine hesitancy, the survey found 93 per cent of Australians recognise scientists as being critical to their future well-being in light of the pandemic.
Nine in 10 think science should drive policy decisions, and 95 per cent think investments in science would make the nation stronger. 17 in 20 agreed there are negative consequences for society if people do not value science.
Misha Schubert, chief executive of Science and Technology Australia, said Australians clearly wanted science to lead their country's social and economic recovery.
"Science has been our saviour in the pandemic. Scientists around the world have worked round the clock on safe and effective new vaccines, careful public health strategies to save lives, and real-time data to support our frontline healthcare heroes," she said.
However, Australians were less likely (57 per cent) than many other countries (62 per cent) to believed that during the pandemic, scientists and medical professionals were inspiring a new generation to pursue a science-based career in the future. 85 per cent believed that Australia's economy would improve if more people pursue careers in the STEM fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Fewer Australians (69 per cent) than the global average (73 per cent) believed underrepresented minority groups often do not receive equal access to STEM education, but the belief was stronger among younger Australians from Generation Z and Millennials (75 per cent).
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3M Australia's Chris LeBlanc said the company's index - now in its fourth year - has "captured a moment in history when the impact of science on our lives has never been more visible."
Harley Dennett
I'm the federal politics bureau chief for the Canberra Times, via a career that's taken me from rural Victoria to Washington DC. Telling the stories of my local LGBTI community brought me to political journalism, where I've covered seven federal budgets, four national elections in two countries, Defence, public service and international governance.
I'm the federal politics bureau chief for the Canberra Times, via a career that's taken me from rural Victoria to Washington DC. Telling the stories of my local LGBTI community brought me to political journalism, where I've covered seven federal budgets, four national elections in two countries, Defence, public service and international governance.
