biostudies-literatureUnknown17(8)Mede NGUniversität ZürichStiftung Mercator SchweizGebert Rüf StiftungScience and its epistemology have been challenged by science-related populism-a variant of populism suggesting that a virtuous "ordinary people," and not allegedly corrupt academic elites, should determine the "production of truth." Yet almost no studies have assessed the prevalence of science-related populist attitudes among the population and explanatory factors thereof. Based on a nationally representative survey in Switzerland, our study shows that only a minority of the Swiss exhibit science-related populist attitudes. Comparisons with reference studies suggest that these attitudes may be less prevalent in Switzerland than political populist attitudes. Those who hold stronger science-related populist attitudes tend to have no university education, less personal contact with science, lPloS onee0271204https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9359586biostudies-literatureWho supports science-related populism? A nationally representative survey on the prevalence and explanatory factors of populist attitudes toward science in Switzerland.PMC9359586Klinger KSchafer MSMetag JMede NGfalseWho supports science-related populism? A nationally representative survey on the prevalence and explanatory factors of populist attitudes toward science in Switzerland.Science and its epistemology have been challenged by science-related populism-a variant of populism suggesting that a virtuous "ordinary people," and not allegedly corrupt academic elites, should determine the "production of truth." Yet almost no studies have assessed the prevalence of science-related populist attitudes among the population and explanatory factors thereof. Based on a nationally representative survey in Switzerland, our study shows that only a minority of the Swiss exhibit science-related populist attitudes. Comparisons with reference studies suggest that these attitudes may be less prevalent in Switzerland than political populist attitudes. Those who hold stronger science-related populist attitudes tend to have no university education, less personal contact with science, l2022-01-01T00:00:00Z20222025-04-18T15:48:10.889Z2025-04-07T02:37:20.323ZS-EPMC93595863593942610.1371/journal.pone.0271204