Public Attitudes to R&D in Scotland and Wales 2026

Campaign for Science and Engineering (CaSE) explores public attitudes to R&D not only to gather evidence, but also to turn these insights into practical tools that support the sector’s advocacy.

This year, we are focusing on the elections in the Senedd and Holyrood. They come amid a shifting political landscape. With changes to the electoral system in Wales, and a rapidly evolving and increasingly polarised voter base across both nations, we can expect many new faces in Holyrood and the Senedd come summer.

The R&D community needs to proactively engage with candidates and elected parliamentarians in the Senedd and Holyrood, to build awareness of, and support for, Scottish and Welsh R&D. We can do this more effectively if we first understand how people in the nations – their voters and constituents – think and feel about R&D.

CaSE’s new study, Public Attitudes to R&D in Scotland and Wales 2026 – made possible by the support of our project sponsors and Wellcome – provides insights at unprecedented depth. The results offer a fascinating and granular view on how people view R&D as a political and societal issue in the two nations, giving advocates a valuable resource both now and for years to come.

When it comes to R&D, there is strong support in general terms, but many don’t feel a personal connection with R&D and are uncertain about its benefits or the work that R&D organisations do. We can and must do more to show the public how R&D is tackling the issues they care about.

It may offer reassurance to advocates that support for R&D can be found among voters across the political spectrum. However, priorities begin to diverge around certain R&D topics – with implications for how the R&D community should tailor our messages for different audiences.

Looking ahead to the new Senedd and Scottish Parliaments, it is positive to see the public express clear appetite for more information on R&D and for their elected representatives to become champions for R&D both locally and nationally. New statistical modelling of attitudes at the constituency level demonstrates that such support is broadly consistent across constituencies.

We must build on this appetite. Our community should not be afraid to speak up for R&D in Scotland and Wales, and we must encourage elected representatives to do the same.

We have a positive story to tell politicians: there is much support for R&D, and these results suggest there is little political risk in advocating for it.

We also have data to support engagement at the local level. CaSE is providing all parliamentary candidates with bespoke insights about the public’s – and their constituents’ – views, urging them to start conversations in their communities and engage with local R&D organisations.

We hope this tailored engagement will help forge new connections and nurture a new set of champions for R&D in Holyrood and the Senedd. CaSE urges you to join us in putting these insights into action and advocating for R&D in Scotland and Wales.