About the 2022 Survey

For the fifth year, 3M is sharing unique insights from our original research project, the State of Science Index. The State of Science Index is a third-party, independent research study commissioned by 3M that tracks and explores global attitudes toward science, taking the pulse on how people think and feel about the field and its impact on the world around us.

Fielded September 27, 2021 – December 17, 2021, the 2022 wave of data moves beyond COVID-19 to explore the future of science and capture sentiment related to 3M’s core brand priorities of STEM equity, health equity, upskilling and trade skills, sustainability, and future technology. It also gives us five years' worth of trends about how the perception of science has changed as the world continues to tackle challenges that impact our lives—and rely on scientific solutions. For the first time, insights are equally divided between the pre-pandemic and pandemic eras with data from 3 surveys conducted before the pandemic, and 3 surveys conducted since the pandemic.

Why are we conducting this research?
Science matters to 3M. We want to create a better world through science, and we want to inspire others to join us in that effort. To do so, we need to understand what the world thinks of science—and the role it plays in society—because it could impact the future. 3M’s State of Science Index presents original, independent and nationally representative (based on census demographics) research conducted among the general population around the world.