An omnibus survey, commissioned by the British Science Association (BSA) and published on the eve of the 31st British Science Week (7 – 16 March), reveals that 81% of adults believe that science and research make a valuable contribution to society, and 77% agree that science and research is good for the country’s economy.
Nearly three quarters of respondents (73%) believe that a good science education is vital for young people’s future job prospects and their daily lives. Around two in three adults (65%) agree that a good science education system can prevent the spread of misinformation.
The BSA wants the science curriculum to be more relevant to young people and to offer more opportunities for them to take the lead on science projects and practical investigations as part of their education. A high-quality science education can also strengthen young people’s critical thinking and analytical skills.
When asked to pick from a series of statements about the positive aspects of science and research in the UK, 46% of survey respondents said that the sector ‘furthers understanding of the world, our health, and our environment’.
Science Minister, Lord Vallance, said:
People across the UK recognise the enduring contribution of science and research to our health and security, and in growing our economy, and the clear benefits of unearthing and capitalising on STEM talent in every corner of our country.
Year after year, British Science Week makes a powerful case for the opportunities STEM offers us all, from unlocking doors to highly rewarding careers to strengthening the critical thinking and analytical skills that are increasingly important in everyday life.
Throughout British Science Week, the BSA runs a campaign called ‘Smashing Stereotypes’ across social media, highlighting successful, inspiring, and diverse role models working in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM), to encourage young people to see themselves in science education and careers.
Visit our Smashing Stereotypes campaign pages
Every year during British Science Week, thousands of schools, community organisations, charities, cultural institutions and businesses run projects and events designed to support the BSA’s goal of bringing people and science together, to get people involved and at the heart of science, and for science to be more inclusive.
This year the BSA are also teaming up with the Royal Institution to co-host an event at the Ri on 15 March. ‘The greatest science demos of all time!’ is a family event, squeezing highlights from 200 years of Ri science demonstrations into little more than an hour: bangs, pops, flashes and explosions all guaranteed.
Fun, accessible, educational events like those taking place during British Science Week each March, together with the many annual science festivals that take place across the UK during the year; outreach work by universities; and the work of popular science writers and influencers are vital for helping people understand and feel involved in science.
But there is still work to be done: in the BSA’s survey of 2,000 people (conducted by Opinium), 50% of people agreed with the statement that ‘science and research are too difficult to understand for most people’.
Hannah Russell, Chief Executive of the British Science Association said:
It’s really heartening to see such positive views, interest and understanding from the public about the importance of science for the UK’s future growth and prosperity, as well as the broader societal benefits. But with half of the respondents to this year’s British Science Week public survey telling us that science and research are ‘too difficult for most people to understand’, it’s clear that more needs to be done to help people feel engaged and involved in science.
Every person inspired to take part in a science activity, study STEM subjects and enter a STEM career, and every step made by the science and research sector toward diversifying and including underrepresented voices in science, is a move forward.
Visit the British Science Week website for more information, UK-wide event listings, free educational activity packs and marketing materials. Or download our stakeholder pack for 2025 to find out how you can support British Science Week and use this annual calendar moment as an opportunity to highlight your own messages and activities.
Visit the British Science Week website
Use our hashtags #BSW25 #BritishScienceWeek across social media