Public attitudes to chemistry

The first national, in-depth study on 84% of the UK public agreed that chemists 62% of the UK public agreed that jobs 88% of the UK public said chemists
how the UK public thinks and feels about make a valuable contribution to society in chemistry are interesting are approachable

chemistry, chemists and chemicals. But only But only But only

For more information rsc.li/pac 12% of the chemists we interviewed 27% of the chemists we interviewed 20% of the chemists we interviewed
thought the public would have said so thought the public would have said so thought the public would have said so

People are positive about chemistrys contribution to society Most people cant think People strongly associate Lack of confidence and feelings of inferiority could explain
of chemistry beyond their chemists with pharmacists the absence of emotional connection with chemistry
school memories When I talk about a chemist what
When I talk about chemistry what comes comes to your mind? Top 5 answers School put me off
to your mind? Top 5 answers I dont feel confident enough
Chemistry
to talk about chemistry
25% agree
48% disagree
59% 55% 72% 23% neither agree
nor disagree
of the public believe the of the public believe agree that chemistry
Science 4% dont know
benefits of chemistry it is important to know research and Pharmacies/
Medication/
are greater than any about chemistry in their developments make School/teachers pharmacists
harmful effects daily life a direct contribution
medicine
Science* 58%
to economic growth
in the UK 24% agree of women
agree
45%
Drugs/ Chemicals/ Prescriptions 63% disagree of men
tablets/pills elements agree
55% 72% 76% Shop/ 13% neither agree
chemists nor disagree
for science* for science* for science* Medication Drugs/ shop 1% dont know
tablets/pills

Public attitudes to chemicals Public perceptions of chemistry are more positive People are interested in finding out more about chemistry,
Although there are some concerns about chemicals, these do not affect than chemists expected especially how it relates to their everyday life
peoples views on chemistry How do you feel about chemistry? (%)** How engaged or interested are you How interested people are in finding out more about the role of chemistry in
with chemistry? (%)

60% 70% 67% Neutral 51 43% 42% 13%

of the public agreed of the public agreed that of the public disagreed Happy 19
25
65% 68% 63%
that everything is everything including that all chemicals are feeding world developing clean developing
made of chemicals water and oxygen can be man-made Excited 11 population water technology renewable energy
toxic at a certain dose 15 technologies
Confused 11
10 9 10
8 8
Bored 10 6 5
2
Shocked 1
1 10
Sad 1 Not at Very
all engaged engaged
4.3
Angry 1
Mean score
People dont have an emotional
connection with chemistry Overall engagement is fairly low
Public attitudes to chemistry is a study conducted by TNS BMRB on behalf of the Royal Society of Chemistry.
TNS BMRB conducted qualitative research followed by 2,104 face-to-face interviews with UK adults aged 16+. Interviews were conducted
between 13 and 25 February 2015 on the TNS omnibus. For more details on the methodology and data visit rsc.li/pac
*Ipsos MORI Public Attitudes to Science 2014
**Multi-coded questions represent % of respondents who select each category, but respondents can be in more than one category.