Abstract

This paper uses data collected as part of the ANUpoll series of surveys, collected in April 2023 with information on almost four-and-a-half thousand Australian adults. The paper describes Australians’ interests in science; their knowledge about science; support for and concerns about science; and their views on scientists and science policy. Data presented in the paper suggest that Australians have a deep and long-standing interest in science and that many are confident in their own knowledge, though not necessarily with some of the more recent technologies like AI. Although the vast majority of Australians think science has a positive impact, far fewer think science had a positive impact with regards to COVID-19. In addition, only 17.4 per cent of Australians agree or strongly agree that ‘Artificial intelligence and automation will create more jobs than they eliminate.’ Australians still think that AI will have a positive effect but there is far less support for AI having a positive effect compared to solar or wind energy, or vaccines. They think that politicians should rely more on the advice of scientists, that scientists should be free to comment on government policies, and that governments should be funding science. But, they also don’t think that research conducted by industry is well controlled or regulated, and they certainly think that there should be limits on what science is allowed to investigate.

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