Making Science More Trustworthy: From Life Hacks to the Death Penalty

Views that counter mainstream science, such as distrust of vaccines or believing the Earth is flat, have become increasingly visible in the past few years. In response, many have asked if the public has abandoned its trust in science. This talk flips that question on its head, and asks whether science has done its part in earning the trust of the public. Specifically, we will discuss the trustworthiness of science in three domains: guidance for everyday life, evaluating criminal responsibility, and resolving moral debates.

Dr. Alexa Tullett is a social psychologist who examines scientific, religious, and political beliefs, and the factors that facilitate or impede belief change. Some of her work takes a meta-scientific approach, using psychological methods to study the beliefs and practices of psychological scientists.