Attitudes of Poles towards science in the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

The article presents results of a survey of attitudes toward experts’ recommendations in fighting COVID-19 pandemic, scientists and science in general, and academic freedom in Poland, and discusses them in the context of the on-going pandemic as well as local developments in Poland. The global crisis triggered by the coronavirus pandemic highlighted the subtle, yet vital social role played by science, which in normal circumstances does not present itself that vividly. This, paradoxically, comes at a time, when the status of science and scientific freedom is disputed in the Polish public debate. The internet survey was conducted by the Institute of Political Studies of the Polish Academy of Sciences in April 2021 on a sample of Poles aged 18–65.