Signal Survey: both the public and experts most want science to build a more prosperous nation

Summary

STEPI surveyed 800 adults aged 19 and over nationwide and 200 science, technology and innovation policy and research experts about the kind of country they hope science and technology will create. The options were a more prosperous, more equal, safer or more open nation, or other. A more prosperous nation was the most chosen answer in both groups. The chart shows the experts' preference for prosperity as considerably more concentrated than the public's, while a more open nation drew only a small share in both groups. The results suggest that expectations of science centre on prosperity, with safety and equality as secondary goals and openness given comparatively little weight in both groups.