In an age where misinformation spreads faster than facts, the public’s trust in science is at an all-time low. From climate change denial to vaccine scepticism, the disconnect between scientific consensus and public perception has never been more stark—or more consequential. With academic, government and non-profit scientific institutions under attack, the scientific community is in crisis. But this isn’t a crisis of science itself; it’s a crisis of communication. Scientists are not just researchers and innovators—they are stewards of truth, and now more than ever, they must also become active, empathetic communicators, with non-scientists.
In alignment with Keystone Symposia's mission to support the scientific community and drive scientific advancement, we are responding to this crisis by empowering the life science research community to become advocates and ambassadors. As we strive to lead the charge towards restoring public trust, national investment and overall advancement in science, we have aligned with Dr. Maggie L. Bartlett, PhD, an infectious disease researcher at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.
Dr. Bartlett saw a call to action in this crisis — an opportunity to engage scientists and the public in dialog over controversial scientific topics to identify the origin of this insidious disconnect. She launched the podcast, 'Why Should I Trust You?' in January of this year (2025), where she bridges the gap between the lab and the living room, between data and distrust, to rebuild the foundation between science and society.
Dr. Barlett and her team of award-winning podcast producers will attend Keystone Symposia conferences to engage scientific leaders in this important initiative. Her team includes Brinda Adhikari, Emmy-nominated for her work on The Problem with Jon Stewart, which using storytelling, humor, and viral interviews to tackle society’s toughest issues, and Tom Johnson, Executive Producer of the five-time Emmy-nominated political news and documentary series, The Circus.
At the June 2025 Vaccinology conference in Washington DC, the 'Why Should I Trust You?' team spoke with science advocate and Keystone Speaker Peter Hotez of Baylor College of Medicine, and others across academia, industry and government sectors. Diving into one of the most controversial and consequential topics in today's court of public opinion, they investigated the scientific truths around vaccines and surrounding questions. In October, they will jet off to Geneva, Switzerland, to discuss Predicting and Responding to Emerging Viral Threats with world leaders at this seminal meeting in the field.
Learn more about the 'Why Should I Trust You?' podcast and Keystone Symposia partnership below from Dr. Maggie Barlett herself below!
Founder of the "Why Should I Trust You?" Podcast & Assistant Research Professor, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
What motivated you to start this podcast?
Over the past few years, one truth has become clear: science does not speak for itself. It needs context, voices, and human stories to bridge the gap between discovery and public understanding.
That’s the lesson I’ve learned through podcasting with my co-hosts, who bring a wealth of media expertise. When I first reached out to award-winning executive producer I thought the challenge was simply that data existed, but I struggled to break through silos and algorithms to reach people. She recruited award-winning executive producer Tom Johnson and physician and medical correspondent Dr. Mark Abdelmalek.
As we dug deeper, much like parsing which transcripts matter in a massive omics dataset, we discovered the real barrier: broken trust.
That realization became the foundation of the 'Why Should I Trust You?' podcast. Our mission is to shine a light on the people behind the science, to make their work accessible, and to help rebuild trust at a moment when it has never been more urgent. I recently shared more about this journey on Public Health on Call, reflecting on how this new approach took shape.
Why did you reach out to Keystone Symposia to record the podcast at our conferences?
Some of the most meaningful conversations in science happen outside lecture halls; over coffee breaks, in stairwells, or after a presentation sparks an idea. By recording and connecting at major scientific meetings, we capture that energy in real time.
This year, we focused on two symbolic venues: Washington, D.C., where science intersects with policy, and Geneva, the global epicenter of health diplomacy. Both remind us that science is inseparable from society, and that conversations in these rooms ripple far beyond the conference walls.
Keystone Symposia Attendees visiting with us at the Vaccinology conference booth.
How have conference attendees and the scientific community at large responded?
One of the most rewarding aspects of this project has been hearing from my peers. Many shared that they rarely get the chance to talk about their work in ways that reach beyond technical presentations or journal articles. The podcast (and talking about the podcast) gives them a space to discuss not only what they study, but also why it matters and why they care. Time and again, scientists express hunger for better communication tools. They recognize it as essential, but too often see it unsupported, or even undervalued, in academic culture.
Our podcast aims to fill that gap: a platform for authentic engagement and a model for connecting meaningfully with broader audiences.
What advice do you have for scientists for rebuilding trust with the public?
Facts alone do not rebuild trust. Relationships do. Listening does. Humility does. As scientists, this means speaking openly with communities, using clear and accessible language, and being honest about both what we know and what we don’t. At an institutional level, it means reimagining public engagement—not as an optional extra, but as a core part of the scientific mission.
Science is more than experiments and data points. It is perseverance, collaboration across borders, and the drive to improve lives.
My hope is that 'Why Should I Trust You?' brings these human stories forward, inspiring curiosity and showing the public that science is a shared journey.
This work is just beginning. But the conversations we are having are building toward something larger: rebuilding trust, fostering dialogue, and reminding people that science belongs to everyone. Listen to the podcast wherever you get your shows, and explore our companion substack for more stories.
Stay tuned for more updates on Keystone Symposia initiatives and partnerships to engage and empower scientists to rebuild public trust in science.
Return to the September 2025 Keypoint Newsletter