Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT)

The report Participation of women scientists as expert sources in the media: motivations and obstacles, carried out by FECYT's SMC España with the Gureiker research group (UPV/EHU) analyses the data from a survey, a pioneer in Spain, on the factors that influence the media participation of scientists as expert voices. All the people contacted as information sources by the SMC Spain team were surveyed over a three-month period, starting in March 2024. Of the sources consulted, 43.91% were women and 56.09% were men. However, of the total number of people who accepted SMC's proposals and appeared as sources, 37.66% were women and 62.34% were men. The greater media exposure of male scientists benefits them for future interventions. In terms of barriers that prevent researchers from speaking in the media, lack of time due to family responsibilities affects female scientists (22.95 % of respondents) more than male scientists (10 %).  

Populist movements often pit people against political elites, but they can also target academic elites. Science-related populism pits ‘ordinary people’ and common sense against academic elites and scientific knowledge. A report published by FECYT analyses this phenomenon in Spain for the first time. Science Media Centre España organised an informative meeting with its authors to explain the main results.

The Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT) has produced a report that compiles the results of a pioneering survey in the country on populist attitudes related to science. The research explores, among other issues, the consumption of scientific information, public perceptions of the role of science in politics and society, the benefits of science, attitudes towards technologies such as vaccines and issues such as climate change.

The report 'Experiences of researchers who interact with the media and social networks in Spain', carried out by FECYT’s Science Media Centre Spain (SMC) in collaboration with the research group Gureiker, from the University of the Basque Country, analyses data from a survey, the first of its kind in Spain, on the relationship with the media and social networks of the expert sources contacted by the SMC Spain from March 2022 to July 2024. The results show that scientists have a positive or very positive perception of their participation in the media (83.12%). However, 51.05% of respondents admit to having suffered an attack after communicating science. Women receive significantly more attacks than men: 56.86% of female scientists report attacks compared to 46.21% of male scientists. The social network X (formerly Twitter) is the most common avenue for this type of attack.