Public Understanding of Science

Aims & Scope

Public Understanding of Science (PUS) publishes articles on the interrelationship between science and the public in the context of different societies.

It considers contributions from a variety of disciplines and perspectives such as communication, social studies of science, psychology, philosophy & history of science, and political science; it is also open to contributions based on practical experience. "Science" is understood in a broad way including the social sciences and humanities, technological and medical innovations, and scientific expertise on climate change, environment and health.

Typical topics are: public perceptions, representations and assessments of science (e.g., knowledge, beliefs, attitudes and trust); public communication of science and scientific expertise in traditional and social media, science fiction and popular culture, events, and science museums; informal science education in public settings; public discourses and controversies over science and innovative technologies; public engagement, collaborations of science and public, public participation in knowledge creation, innovation and governance (citizen science, responsible research and innovation); models and theories of public understanding of science and science communication; medialization and medialization of science, public relations of science, open science; para-science and anti-science, science and religion, science and indigenous/traditional knowledge, scientific and everyday culture.

View Aims & Scope

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Metrics & Ranking

Impact Factor

Year	Value
2025	3.3
2024	3.50

SJR (SCImago Journal Rank)

Year	Value
2024	1.144

Quartile

Year	Value
2024	Q1

h-index

Year	Value
2024	100

Journal Rank

Year	Value
2024	3863

Journal Citation Indicator

Year	Value
2024	939

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Abstracting & Indexing

Journal is indexed in leading academic databases, ensuring global visibility and accessibility of our peer-reviewed research.

• Scopus
• Google Scholar
• Web of Science
• Medline

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Subjects & Keywords

Journal’s research areas, covering key disciplines and specialized sub-topics in Arts and Humanities, Psychology and Social Sciences, designed to support cutting-edge academic discovery.

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Most Cited Articles

The Most Cited Articles section features the journal's most impactful research, based on citation counts. These articles have been referenced frequently by other researchers, indicating their significant contribution to their respective fields.

• Misunderstood misunderstanding: social identities and public uptake of science

  Citation: 911

  Authors: Brian

• Science in Society: Re-Evaluating the Deficit Model of Public Attitudes

  Citation: 793

  Authors: Patrick, Nick

• Can citizen science enhance public understanding of science?

  Citation: 678

  Authors: Rick, Tina B., Heidi L., Jody W.

• Science Communication: A Contemporary Definition

  Citation: 533

  Authors: T. W., D. J., S. M.

• The lure of rationality: Why does the deficit model persist in science communication?

  Citation: 528

  Authors: Molly J., Haley, Michael A., Sara K.

• What can we learn from 25 years of PUS survey research? Liberating and expanding the agenda

  Citation: 497

  Authors: Martin W., Nick, Steve

• Science knowledge and attitudes across cultures: a meta-analysis

  Citation: 476

  Authors: Nick, Patrick, Dimitra, Ian

• Why should we promote public engagement with science?

  Citation: 455

  Authors: Jack, Simon J., James

• Ideological cultures and media discourses on scientific knowledge: re-reading news on climate change

  Citation: 453

  Authors: Anabela

• The measurement of civic scientific literacy

  Citation: 421

  Authors: Jon D.

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