Speaking Science in the Digital Age: How Political Expression on Social Media Shapes Trust in Experts

Key Messages:Social media may raise the visibility of politically vocal scientists, but also undermine public trust in scienceAcademics’ political expression can damage their credibility and exacerbate polarizationDepending on the audience’s views, scientific work on political topics is often seen as partisan rather than neutralPolicymakers must strike a balance between supporting science, maintaining public trust, and mitigating polarizing effectsBetter media literacy and clear communication norms can help resolve the “visibility versus credibility” dilemma