Alexander Bogner is a sociologist and Senior Scientist at the Institute for Technology Assessment (ITA) of the Austrian Academy of Sciences. His latest study on science skepticism follows the findings of the ‘Corona Review’ initiated by the Austrian Federal Government. It was conducted in cooperation between the Austrian Academy of Sciences (ÖAW), the University of Vienna and the Vienna University of Economics and Business.

Working in two teams, the partners wanted to shed light on the phenomenon of science scepticism from different perspectives, both through targeted interviews with selected actors as well as in group discussions and with the help of a representative survey. Their conclusion: Science skepticism is a complex problem. There are no easy solutions. However, in view of current surveys such as the ÖAW Science Barometer 2025, Bogner emphasises that dramatising the problem is not the way to go.

"A sober look at the pandemic teaches us that even though science undoubtedly contributes to better crisis management, it is still not in a position to simply resolve political and social conflicts. Science communication that builds trust must recognise these limitations – and at the same time contribute to an understanding. Science’s role is therefore not that of a political actor, but as a mediator of possibilities that deliberately leaves open what needs to remain open," says Bogner.

The results of this research can be found here:

ITA dossier: ‘Science skepticism in times of crisis’

How can entrenched knowledge conflicts be dealt with constructively? (ITA-manu:script 25-02, available in German)

Interview with Alexander Bogner on the topic of ‘5 years of Corona’ (in German)