Periodic Reporting for period 2 - VERITY (deVEloping scientific Research with ethIcs and inTegritY)
Période du rapport: 2023-09-01 au 2025-08-31
The VERITY project addresses a critical challenge in contemporary society: the perception of widespread public mistrust in science, despite evidence suggesting that most people trust, in fact, scientific processes.
The VERITY’s core objective is to strengthen societal trust in science by reshaping what it defines as the Ecosystem of Trust in Science — the conceptual space within which societal trust in of trust science is constructed, negotiated, enhanced or reduced, as well as science-society co-creation and open science are sought. Within this ecosystem, VERITY introduces the concept of Stewards of Trust (SOTs): institutions, groups, and individuals, ranging from universities, policymakers, and research funders to journalists and influencers, who play critical roles in guiding societal trust in science and facilitating science-society co-creation. To support these Stewards, VERITY has developed and validated a Protocol of Recommendations, a set of evidence-based and actionable guidelines for Stewards of Trust to enhance public confidence in science and promote science-society co-creation.
The adoption of the VERITY Protocol of Recommendations transforms how R&I institutions design, communicate, and evaluate science. This helps align research agendas more closely with citizens’ needs and values and ensures greater legitimacy and uptake of scientific knowledge in policy and practice. The project’s impacts extend beyond individual organisations to influence EU-wide governance, supporting the implementation of the ERA and SDGs. In scale, VERITY aims to reshape the ecosystem of trust in science across Europe; in significance, it provides the conceptual and practical framework needed to rebuild confidence in science as a cornerstone of democratic, ethical, and evidence-informed policymaking.
VERITY sets the stage for an ecosystem of trust in science in which science and society work collaboratively to address global challenges. In a world where mis/disinformation and scepticism can erode public confidence, VERITY’s interdisciplinary, inclusive, and evidence-based approach seeks to rebuild trust, empower stakeholders, and create a more resilient Ecosystem of Trust.
The VERITY’s core objective is to strengthen societal trust in science by reshaping what it defines as the Ecosystem of Trust in Science — the conceptual space within which societal trust in of trust science is constructed, negotiated, enhanced or reduced, as well as science-society co-creation and open science are sought. Within this ecosystem, VERITY introduces the concept of Stewards of Trust (SOTs): institutions, groups, and individuals, ranging from universities, policymakers, and research funders to journalists and influencers, who play critical roles in guiding societal trust in science and facilitating science-society co-creation. To support these Stewards, VERITY has developed and validated a Protocol of Recommendations, a set of evidence-based and actionable guidelines for Stewards of Trust to enhance public confidence in science and promote science-society co-creation.
The adoption of the VERITY Protocol of Recommendations transforms how R&I institutions design, communicate, and evaluate science. This helps align research agendas more closely with citizens’ needs and values and ensures greater legitimacy and uptake of scientific knowledge in policy and practice. The project’s impacts extend beyond individual organisations to influence EU-wide governance, supporting the implementation of the ERA and SDGs. In scale, VERITY aims to reshape the ecosystem of trust in science across Europe; in significance, it provides the conceptual and practical framework needed to rebuild confidence in science as a cornerstone of democratic, ethical, and evidence-informed policymaking.
VERITY sets the stage for an ecosystem of trust in science in which science and society work collaboratively to address global challenges. In a world where mis/disinformation and scepticism can erode public confidence, VERITY’s interdisciplinary, inclusive, and evidence-based approach seeks to rebuild trust, empower stakeholders, and create a more resilient Ecosystem of Trust.
1. Understanding Trust and Mistrust in Science: VERITY mapped the drivers and consequences of societal mistrust through a systematic literature review (124 articles, 59 projects), 16 focus groups, 10 interviews, and a social network analysis. These findings provide an up-to-date evidence base on how communication, integrity, and public perception interact within the EU context.
2. Building Collaboration Across Stewards of Trust: The project established a strong collaborative ecosystem through its Advisory and Impact Board (22 members, 130+ interactions), cooperation with sister projects and the Broader Cluster, and joint events, including the Final Policy Event in Brussels (May 2025). Overall, these activities engaged over 540 stakeholders and strengthened cross-sector dialogue.
3. Developing and Testing Methods and Tools: VERITY evaluated existing approaches to fostering trust through literature analysis (19 studies), 21 expert interviews, 3 focus groups, and a citizen vignette survey (155 participants). Results confirmed that methods such as communication, co-creation, benefit sharing, and social media have varied effects across audience groups.
4. Creating the VERITY Protocol of Recommendations: The VERITY Protocol offers 100 actionable, evidence-based recommendations across six strategies: trustworthy science, public engagement, education, communication, supportive policy frameworks, and collaboration. Developed and validated with over 500 stakeholders, it is complemented by an Interactive Online Tool and Scenario-Building Training to facilitate practical uptake.
2. Building Collaboration Across Stewards of Trust: The project established a strong collaborative ecosystem through its Advisory and Impact Board (22 members, 130+ interactions), cooperation with sister projects and the Broader Cluster, and joint events, including the Final Policy Event in Brussels (May 2025). Overall, these activities engaged over 540 stakeholders and strengthened cross-sector dialogue.
3. Developing and Testing Methods and Tools: VERITY evaluated existing approaches to fostering trust through literature analysis (19 studies), 21 expert interviews, 3 focus groups, and a citizen vignette survey (155 participants). Results confirmed that methods such as communication, co-creation, benefit sharing, and social media have varied effects across audience groups.
4. Creating the VERITY Protocol of Recommendations: The VERITY Protocol offers 100 actionable, evidence-based recommendations across six strategies: trustworthy science, public engagement, education, communication, supportive policy frameworks, and collaboration. Developed and validated with over 500 stakeholders, it is complemented by an Interactive Online Tool and Scenario-Building Training to facilitate practical uptake.
• VERITY Protocol of Recommendations: A validated framework containing 100 actionable recommendations across six strategies that focus on trustworthy science, public engagement, education, communication, supportive policy frameworks, and collaboration. It was co-created and tested with more than 500 stakeholders to ensure policy relevance and practical value.
• Ecosystem of Trust Framework: A conceptual model that defines the interdependent roles of Stewards of Trust, including policymakers, scientists, educators, and communicators, in shaping public confidence in science.
• Empirical Evidence Base: Comparative insights from literature reviews, surveys, and workshops that identify key drivers and barriers to trust in science.
• Stakeholder Tools and Training: A collection of online resources, interactive learning materials, and workshops that help institutions apply the VERITY recommendations in practice.
• Policy and Dissemination Outputs: Open-access briefs and materials designed to support the effective uptake of VERITY results at both European and national levels.
• Ecosystem of Trust Framework: A conceptual model that defines the interdependent roles of Stewards of Trust, including policymakers, scientists, educators, and communicators, in shaping public confidence in science.
• Empirical Evidence Base: Comparative insights from literature reviews, surveys, and workshops that identify key drivers and barriers to trust in science.
• Stakeholder Tools and Training: A collection of online resources, interactive learning materials, and workshops that help institutions apply the VERITY recommendations in practice.
• Policy and Dissemination Outputs: Open-access briefs and materials designed to support the effective uptake of VERITY results at both European and national levels.