Abstract

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields are pivotal in addressing skill gaps and driving economic growth. However, women’s under-representation in these areas remains a barrier to achieving inclusive development. Gender-based stereotypes deter women from engaging in STEM careers, particularly in scientific research. This study leverages a randomized survey experiment to investigate factors shaping trust in science, scientists, and female scientists. Using newly collected data from over 5,800 adults and a subsample of children across five countries -- Canada, Switzerland, Israel/West Bank and Gaza, Italy, and the UAE -- we explore how the gender of information providers influences respondents' willingness to update their beliefs on a range of scientific questions. Trust in science is generally high, yet trust in female scientists varies across countries, with more gender-egalitarian societies such as Canada exhibiting subtle resistance to information from female sources. The parent-child analysis provides evidence of intergenerational transmission of trust in science, emphasizing how parental influence can shape children's views towards scientists and the role of gender in science.