Enhancing civic engagement with science: a comparative approach across European regions

Abstract Public understanding of science and his involvement in different aspects of research activities impact contemporary life more than ever. This study compares civic engagement with science across European regions and assesses the determinants of this kind of engagement. The research is based on the Special Eurobarometer data (2021) and uses non-parametric tests and multilevel logistic regression. The results show significant differences between European regions in civic engagement with science, with the most notable distinctions between Northern Europe and the other European regions. The main determinants of civic engagement with science as scientific literacy, citizens’ attitudes towards science, their manifested interest, informing tools, and observed benefits, provide valuable insights for decisional actors to foster greater engagement with science among citizens. The considered determinants reveal a comprehensive view of the complex relationships between individual attitudes, information sources, and perceived benefits, and highlight the diversity of behaviours towards science and community heterogeneity across the continent.