The gender gap in science and technology has been halved in just two years
The Secretary of State for R+D+i, led by Camen Vela and the director of FECYT, José Ignacio Fernández Vera, presented the Eighth Social Perception of Science Survey carried out biennially by the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT) since 2007. The survey highlights the increasing interest on the part of women in science and technology, which has increased by 13.7%, halving the gender gap in these sectors. The analysis also reveals that the general interest of Spaniards in science and technology increased from 6.9% in 2004 to 16.3% in 2016, representing a cumulative increase of 136 per cent.Young people are the age period that accumulates the greatest interest in science and technology, with 23.1% declaring themselves interested in these issues. However, in the age group of 45 to 65, this interest is diminished.
The image of science for citizens
Usually, citizens have a positive view of science. This is demonstrated by 54.4% of respondents stating that it has more benefits than harms compared to 5.8% who think otherwise.The scientific and technological applications that provide the most benefits for citizens are the Internet (65%), mobile telephony (62.6%), stem cell research (61.8%) and drones (41.1%).In contrast, nuclear energy, cloning or fracking appear to be the technologies that arouse the greatest rejection among the population, while the number of people who do not have a formed opinion about them is growing.Scientists are once again one of the most valued professionals in this survey, scoring 4.4 out of 5, second only to doctors (4.55). Close to these professions are teachers (4.28) and engineers (4.14).
Education and scientific culture
44.2% of Spaniards consider that their scientific education is low or very low. Data that contrasts with the scores obtained by the highest average of the respondents, which stands at 7.66 out of 10, compared to 6.39 in 2014 and 5.09 in 2006.There are no gender differences in scientific knowledge, but they are of age, since people over 65 have less knowledge than the average, standing at 6.68 out of 10.
Science and Technology in the media
The lack of scientific information perceived by citizens compared to previous surveys is maintained, since there is a difference between the level of information 2.79 out of 5, and the degree of interest 3.12 out of 5.The Internet is the first source of scientific information for 37.7% of the population, but television is the most consulted source when it is asked to cite three media outlets to be informed about science (71.2%). In this survey, for the first time, social networks become another source that citizens consult to keep up to date with technology and science.
Sample survey
For the eighth Social Perception of Science survey, 6,357 personal interviews distributed by autonomous community and habitat size, with a minimum of 350 interviews for each of the 17 Communities. The studied population are people living in Spain.Source: MINECO
