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Brian Kennedy

Senior Researcher

Expertise:Science and Society

Brian Kennedy is a senior researcher at the Pew Research Center, where he focuses on science and society research. He is an expert on public opinion on a number of science-related topics and frequently writes about public views on climate and energy issues and public trust in science. His work on climate, energy and environmental attitudes includes Majorities of Americans Prioritize Renewable Energy, Back Steps to Address Climate Change and Americans Divided Over Direction of Biden’s Climate Policies. And his publications on public trust in scientists include Americans Trust in Scientists, Positive Views of Science Continue to Decline and Americans Value U.S. Role as Scientific Leader, but 38% Say Country Is Losing Ground Globally.

Kennedy frequently discusses research on public opinion on climate, energy and environmental issues and public trust in science with the media and presents research on these topics to outside groups.

Kennedy is also an expert in methodological topics, including scale development. He has developed survey questions and scales to measure science knowledge and awareness of artificial intelligence in daily activities.

He received his Ph.D. in political science at Michigan State University, where his work focused on cross-national attitudes about climate change. Kennedy received his bachelor’s degree at Davidson College.

Publications

reportApr 1, 2021

STEM Jobs See Uneven Progress in Increasing Gender, Racial and Ethnic Diversity

The higher education pipeline suggests a long path is ahead for increasing diversity, especially in fields like computing and engineering.
reportDec 10, 2020

Biotechnology Research Viewed With Caution Globally, but Most Support Gene Editing for Babies To Treat Disease

Majorities say scientific research on gene editing is a misuse – rather than an appropriate use – of technology. But public acceptance of gene editing for babies depends on how it will be used, and views often differ by age and religion.
short readsNov 11, 2020

Many publics around world doubt safety of genetically modified foods

Concern about genetically modified foods is widespread, with about half of people in 20 publics saying these foods are unsafe to eat.
short readsOct 19, 2020

Natural gas viewed more positively than other fossil fuels across 20 global publics

A median of 69% of adults across 20 global publics we surveyed are in favor of expanding the use of natural gas.
reportSep 29, 2020

Science and Scientists Held in High Esteem Across Global Publics

Majorities across 20 publics say government investments in scientific research are worthwhile and express a lot or some confidence in scientists to do what is right for the public.
short readsSep 29, 2020

Americans prioritize being a world leader in scientific achievements more than other global publics

Nearly seven-in-ten Americans think it is very important for the United States to be a world leader in scientific achievements.
short readsAug 28, 2020

Black Americans have less confidence in scientists to act in the public interest

There’s a 14-point gap between the shares of White and Black adults in the U.S. who say they have a great deal of confidence in scientists.
short readsAug 27, 2020

Public confidence in scientists has remained stable for decades

44% of Americans have a great deal of confidence in the scientific community, while 47% have only some confidence and 7% have hardly any.
short readsJun 29, 2020

Most Americans say climate change affects their local community, including 70% living near coast

Some 63% of Americans say climate change is currently affecting their local community either a great deal or some.
reportJun 23, 2020

Two-Thirds of Americans Think Government Should Do More on Climate

There is bipartisan support for several proposals to reduce the effects of climate change, especially for large scale tree-plantings to help absorb carbon emissions and offering tax credits to businesses that capture carbon emissions.