You are here: Home > Public attitudes > Links to other research >

Other useful research

This page provides links to resources on existing research, reports and surveys about public and scientists’ knowledge of and attitudes towards nanotechnologies. We recommend these resources as background information for event organisers or anyone wanting to find out more about public opinions of nanotechnologies.

Office of Science & Technology, Department of Trade & Industry

Science in Society

March 2005

This report presents the findings of a programme of research carried out among the general public by MORI (Market & Opinion Research International) on behalf of the Office of Science & Technology (OST), Department of Trade & Industry. This research explores public attitudes towards a range of issues related to science, includng nanotechnology; public engagement with science; trust in scientists; and awareness of, interest in and consultation on issues related to science and technology.

Royal Society and the Royal Academy of Engineering

Nanoscience and Nanotechnologies: opportunities and uncertainties

29th July 2004

The Government, in June 2003, commissioned the Royal Society and the Royal Academy of Engineering to carry out an independent study into current and future developments in, and the impacts of, nanosciences and nanotechnologies. The report of the study’s findings includes key recommendations for more research into public attitudes towards nanotechnologies and a constructive and proactive debate around the subject.

Nanotechnology: Views of the General Public

January 2004

As part of their study into public attitudes towards nanotechnologies, the Royal Society and the Royal Academy of Engineering carried out an opinion poll and ran public workshops, the results of which were published in a separate report. The study showed that the majority of people have not heard of nanotechnologies, but those who have tend to view them favourably. People are both excited about the potential benefits of nanotechnologies, especially for medical use, and concerned about their potential side effects, reliability, impact on society and costs. Most people are strongly in favour of control and regulation of nanotechnologies, but divided over the extent of public involvement.

William Sims Bainbridge

Public Attitudes toward Nanotechnology

Journal of Nanoparticle Research, December 2002, vol. 4, no. 6, pp. 561-570(10)

An American survey that provides a useful comparison of public attitudes towards nanotechnologies. Bainbridge has gathered data from an internet survey of nearly 4000 people and his results show that the majority of people are enthusiastic about the potential benefits of nanotechnologies and have few concerns about possible dangers. People tend to associate nanotechnologies with other new technologies such as the space programme, nuclear power and cloning research, rather than with science fiction and pseudo-science, but tend to rate nanotechnologies more favourably. However, there is a noticeable difference in attitude between male and female respondents, the males being more favourable towards nanotechnologies.