Speaker: Dr Niels G. Mede, Assistant Professor of Science Communication at Wageningen University & Research and co-lead of the TISP Many Labs study

Programme: Thursday 10 December 2026

11.30 - 12.15 Lecture
12.15 - 12.30 Interactive Q&A
12.30 - 13.00 Networking lunch

Location: Aula, Frans van Hasseltzaal

This lecture will be in English

Public trust in science has become an increasingly prominent topic in recent years. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, amid political polarisation and growing scrutiny of scientific expertise, questions have emerged about the relationship between science and society. Yet international research suggests that the often-assumed crisis of trust is more complex than it appears. A recent Nature special on trust in science explored these tensions. How much do people actually trust scientists, what shapes that trust, and what role does the public expect scientists to play in society and policymaking?

During this TU Delft Futures Seminar, Niels Mede will present findings from the Trust in Science and Science-Related Populism (TISP) project, an international study involving 71,922 respondents across 68 countries. The results, published in Nature Human Behaviour in 2025, show that most people in most countries trust scientists, although significant differences exist between countries and population groups. Drawing on these findings, Mede will discuss the factors shaping public trust, the role of science communication and the implications for policymakers and scientific advice, with particular attention to the Dutch context.

For TU Delft, these findings are of strategic importance. Public trust shapes the relationship between universities and society, influencing how scientific knowledge informs public policy, how universities collaborate with government and industry, and how researchers participate in public debate. At the same time, changing societal expectations raise broader questions about the role and responsibilities of knowledge institutions. This seminar offers an opportunity to look beyond current debates and explore what these developments may mean for TU Delft and other universities in the longer term.

You can register for the lecture via the link below. If you know colleagues for whom this invitation might be of interest, please feel free to forward it.

Registration is open until and including Tuesday 8 December 2026. A vegetarian lunch will be served. If you have additional dietary preferences and/or allergies, please let us know by email.

Click here for more information about TU Delft Foresight.