Public acceptability of fusion energy: A scoping review of social science research

• Public awareness and knowledge of fusion energy are low. • Attitudes are generally positive, though tentative and weakly held. • Prior attitudes towards nuclear fission are the strongest predictor. • Acceptance is driven by affect, trust, and risk/benefit perceptions. As nuclear fusion progresses from a scientific prospect to a plausible commercial energy source, its successful deployment will depend not only on technical and economic viability but also on public acceptability. Understanding the social landscape is therefore critical for navigating the path to commercialization. This article addresses a gap in the literature by providing the first scoping review of social science research on the public acceptability of fusion energy conducted over the last two decades (2005–2025). A systematic search of academic databases was conducted. A final corpus of 14 research articles was selected and synthesized using narrative and thematic analysis to map the field's key concepts, methodologies, and findings. Two additional post-window studies were included as emerging evidence. The review finds that research is concentrated in Europe and the United States. A consistent picture emerges: public awareness of fusion is low, yet attitudes are generally positive, though tentative and weakly held. The most powerful predictors of acceptability are pre-existing attitudes towards nuclear fission, affective responses, risk-benefit perceptions, and trust in governing institutions. The public acceptability of fusion is shaped by a complex interplay of psychological, social, and contextual factors. Achieving a durable social license requires a paradigm shift towards strategic, multi-faceted engagement that balances inclusive dialogue with evidence-based risk communication addressing public values, emotions, and concerns.