Explaining science funding attitudes in the United States: The case for science interest

Abstract

While most Americans recognize the importance of funding scientific research, many are satisfied with status quo funding, and only a minority see a need for increased federal support. This poses a potential challenge to scientists’ abilities to address complex policy problems, like climate change. Previous correlational research suggests that public opposition to science funding is (at least in part) the result of low levels of knowledge about the basics of science. Leveraging panel data from two nationally representative studies (2008–2014), I show that people who become more interested in science over time but not those who become more knowledgable are more likely to favor increasing public support for scientific research. These results hold when controlling for other known correlates of science funding attitudes (e.g. political ideology, religiosity). I conclude by discussing the potential benefits of prioritizing science communication and science education efforts to increase public science interest.