Public Engagement with Economists and Social Scientists Requires Specific Conditions

On July 12, 2026, a study revealed that the public is not disinterested in economists, management scholars, and sociologists, but engaging them requires specific conditions. Researchers Quentin Plantec, Cylien Gibert, Julien Cloarec, and Marie-Alix Deval conducted a survey that challenges the notion that social scientists are less credible than practitioners.

Understanding Public Perception of Social Sciences

For years, social scientists have faced a common stereotype: audiences find their work uninteresting and less credible compared to hard sciences. However, the recent study indicates that this perception is not entirely accurate. The researchers found that while the public does desire insights from social scientists, they prefer it when these experts remain within their fields of expertise.

The study identified three primary barriers that social scientists encounter when attempting to communicate with broader audiences:

• Perceived Expertise Gap: Social issues often feel like common sense, leading audiences to undervalue specialized knowledge.
• Trustworthiness Barrier: In a polarized environment, social scientists sometimes face skepticism regarding their impartiality.
• Channel Problem: Media spaces are often dominated by practitioners, making it challenging for scholars to gain visibility.

The Impact of Expertise on Engagement

The researchers conducted an experiment using a paywalled op-ed format, where participants rated an author's trustworthiness, expertise, and legitimacy based on various profiles. A representative sample of 1,080 adults in France participated, with results indicating that social scientists are trusted more than practitioners when discussing their own fields.

For instance, trust and engagement increased significantly when an economist wrote about economic issues, or a sociologist addressed social outcomes. This suggests that while practitioners might seem more relatable, audiences still favor academic expertise when it aligns with the topic at hand.

Finding a Balance Between Theory and Practice

Interestingly, the study also revealed that introducing an author as both a scholar and a practitioner could diminish credibility. Readers seem to expect practical insights from practitioners, which can overshadow the value of academic expertise if scholars venture outside their specialized areas.

This nuanced understanding of public engagement highlights the importance of maintaining disciplinary focus for social scientists. The findings emphasize that while experience is valuable, establishing trust through disinterested expertise remains crucial for effective communication.