Why So Many People Feel Shut Out of Science

Earning back the public's scientific trust.

It’s easy to assume that people who reject science just don’t understand it. But what if that’s not the problem?

Communication scholar Hillary Shulman introduces a mindset she calls science populism—a worldview where science is seen as an elite enterprise, disconnected from everyday life. From this perspective, scientists aren’t neutral seekers of truth; they’re members of a privileged class telling ordinary people what to believe.

Sound familiar? It’s the same populist dynamic we see in politics—an “us versus them” story, only this time the divide runs through labs, universities, and public health agencies. And it’s not limited to one side of the political spectrum. People on both the left and right can be skeptical of experts when they feel unheard or dismissed.

What’s fascinating (and a little troubling) is how this distrust of experts isn’t always about data—it’s about identity. As Shulman explains, many of us are feelers more than thinkers when it comes to information that touches our values. When something doesn’t feel right, no amount of charts or citations will change our minds.

That means rebuilding trust in science isn’t just a matter of better facts. It’s about connection. Making science feel less like a command from on high and more like a conversation among equals.

In our discussion, we explore how polarization and science feed each other, why facts alone don’t persuade, and what communicators can do to make science a shared endeavor.

---

🎧 NaPodPoMo Is Underway — Catch Up Now!

We’re roughly halfway through the 30 Questions in 30 Days challenge!
All month long, I’m releasing a new Outrage Science Bites episode every day — each one exploring a big question from real people about outrage, polarization, and how we can bridge divides.

If you haven’t started listening yet, now’s the perfect time to jump in — the episodes are short, thought-provoking, and perfect for your daily coffee break.

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, your favorite podcast player, or online at Outrage Science Bites.

---

New This Week in Outrage Episode!

It’s everything the Outrage Overload podcast is not. It’s not edited. It’s not scripted. It’s lightly researched. It’s David and Lisa talking about this week in outrage, what was in the news, in the memes, and maybe finding some backstory with a humorous (at least to us) twist.