Tracking attitudes to R&D over time

Expanding CaSE's public opinion research to monitor, explore and respond to trends in attitudes

CaSE is building on its extensive public opinion research to create a robust data series that tracks attitudes to R&D over time. The tracker studies will combine large, nationally representative polling with qualitative research to understand how the public think and feel about R&D.

CaSE’s tracker studies will generate a range of outputs to support R&D advocacy and engagement. CaSE will use the work to provide evidence to support the R&D sector’s advocacy, including by refreshing and expanding our advocacy tools that translate the insights into practical actions. In addition, the results will inform CaSE’s future work, including identifying areas or topics for deeper exploration.

The tracker study uses CaSE’s Public Attitudes to R&D 2022-23 study as a starting point, along with the in-depth engagement with stakeholders across the R&D system. This will allow the R&D sector monitor, explore and respond to changes and trends in public attitudes that matter most.

The first wave of the tracker study is being conducted in summer 2025, followed by a second in 2028. CaSE has commissioned a consortium of research organisations to conduct our public opinion research from 2024-29, and research agency Icaro is leading the tracker study with fieldwork being carried out by Deltapoll. We expect to be able to share the results of the 2025 study with the sector in autumn.