Davide Vittori
@davevitto.bsky.social
Pol-sci scholar at the University of Valencia. Previously at ULB, University of Antwerp, Luiss University, EUI and others. I research democracy, democratic backsliding, parties, populism, and radical right/left voting—through the lens of public opinion.
7/ 📄 Want to read more?
Check out the full paper here: doi.org/10.1080/2324...
If you’d like the PDF, drop me a DM.
Check out the full paper here: doi.org/10.1080/2324...
If you’d like the PDF, drop me a DM.
Trust in science during the pandemic: an ideological fracture or just a matter of government vs opposition?
In the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, the role of science in politics became crucial but highly politicized, leading to significant distrust in some segments of society. This article examines the po...
doi.org
June 9, 2025 at 10:46 AM
7/ 📄 Want to read more?
Check out the full paper here: doi.org/10.1080/2324...
If you’d like the PDF, drop me a DM.
Check out the full paper here: doi.org/10.1080/2324...
If you’d like the PDF, drop me a DM.
6/ 🗳️ Big picture
Trust in science isn’t just about policy, but about politics: RRPs can weaponize distrust in science—but mainly when in opposition.
Lega (gvt) vs. FdI (opposition): during covid and Draghi gvt, trust in science was main difference btw the two electorates.
Trust in science isn’t just about policy, but about politics: RRPs can weaponize distrust in science—but mainly when in opposition.
Lega (gvt) vs. FdI (opposition): during covid and Draghi gvt, trust in science was main difference btw the two electorates.
June 9, 2025 at 10:45 AM
6/ 🗳️ Big picture
Trust in science isn’t just about policy, but about politics: RRPs can weaponize distrust in science—but mainly when in opposition.
Lega (gvt) vs. FdI (opposition): during covid and Draghi gvt, trust in science was main difference btw the two electorates.
Trust in science isn’t just about policy, but about politics: RRPs can weaponize distrust in science—but mainly when in opposition.
Lega (gvt) vs. FdI (opposition): during covid and Draghi gvt, trust in science was main difference btw the two electorates.
5/ 📊 What did we find?
✅ Trust in science strongly correlated w/ positive government evaluations
✅ Trust in science reduces the likelihood of voting for radical right parties—but mainly when those parties were in opposition.
In short: trust in science = political dividing line
✅ Trust in science strongly correlated w/ positive government evaluations
✅ Trust in science reduces the likelihood of voting for radical right parties—but mainly when those parties were in opposition.
In short: trust in science = political dividing line
June 9, 2025 at 10:45 AM
5/ 📊 What did we find?
✅ Trust in science strongly correlated w/ positive government evaluations
✅ Trust in science reduces the likelihood of voting for radical right parties—but mainly when those parties were in opposition.
In short: trust in science = political dividing line
✅ Trust in science strongly correlated w/ positive government evaluations
✅ Trust in science reduces the likelihood of voting for radical right parties—but mainly when those parties were in opposition.
In short: trust in science = political dividing line
4/ Why Italy?
Italy was hit hard by COVID-19 and had a unique political situation:
→ Radical right Lega joined the pro-science Draghi gov’t.
→ Radical right Fratelli d’Italia stayed in opposition, fiercely criticizing restrictions.
Perfect for testing politicization dynamics.
Italy was hit hard by COVID-19 and had a unique political situation:
→ Radical right Lega joined the pro-science Draghi gov’t.
→ Radical right Fratelli d’Italia stayed in opposition, fiercely criticizing restrictions.
Perfect for testing politicization dynamics.
June 9, 2025 at 10:45 AM
4/ Why Italy?
Italy was hit hard by COVID-19 and had a unique political situation:
→ Radical right Lega joined the pro-science Draghi gov’t.
→ Radical right Fratelli d’Italia stayed in opposition, fiercely criticizing restrictions.
Perfect for testing politicization dynamics.
Italy was hit hard by COVID-19 and had a unique political situation:
→ Radical right Lega joined the pro-science Draghi gov’t.
→ Radical right Fratelli d’Italia stayed in opposition, fiercely criticizing restrictions.
Perfect for testing politicization dynamics.
3/ 🔑 The Research
Using original survey data from Italy, we tested two key hypotheses:
1️⃣ Trust in science correlated w/ support for governments enforcing restrictions.
2️⃣ Propensity to vote for radical right populist parties in gvt and in opposition differs based on gvt status
Using original survey data from Italy, we tested two key hypotheses:
1️⃣ Trust in science correlated w/ support for governments enforcing restrictions.
2️⃣ Propensity to vote for radical right populist parties in gvt and in opposition differs based on gvt status
June 9, 2025 at 10:44 AM
3/ 🔑 The Research
Using original survey data from Italy, we tested two key hypotheses:
1️⃣ Trust in science correlated w/ support for governments enforcing restrictions.
2️⃣ Propensity to vote for radical right populist parties in gvt and in opposition differs based on gvt status
Using original survey data from Italy, we tested two key hypotheses:
1️⃣ Trust in science correlated w/ support for governments enforcing restrictions.
2️⃣ Propensity to vote for radical right populist parties in gvt and in opposition differs based on gvt status
2/ 📌 The Context
COVID-19 was unprecedented: never before had experts been so prominent in shaping policy in Europe. But with this prominence came politicization—especially from radical right parties who opposed restrictions.
COVID-19 was unprecedented: never before had experts been so prominent in shaping policy in Europe. But with this prominence came politicization—especially from radical right parties who opposed restrictions.
June 9, 2025 at 10:44 AM
2/ 📌 The Context
COVID-19 was unprecedented: never before had experts been so prominent in shaping policy in Europe. But with this prominence came politicization—especially from radical right parties who opposed restrictions.
COVID-19 was unprecedented: never before had experts been so prominent in shaping policy in Europe. But with this prominence came politicization—especially from radical right parties who opposed restrictions.
1/ 🧵 How does trust in science shape politics?
As scientists played central roles during COVID-19, their involvement fueled both trust and backlash. Our new paper explores how trust in science influenced voting behavior and government support during the pandemic. 👇
As scientists played central roles during COVID-19, their involvement fueled both trust and backlash. Our new paper explores how trust in science influenced voting behavior and government support during the pandemic. 👇
June 9, 2025 at 10:44 AM
1/ 🧵 How does trust in science shape politics?
As scientists played central roles during COVID-19, their involvement fueled both trust and backlash. Our new paper explores how trust in science influenced voting behavior and government support during the pandemic. 👇
As scientists played central roles during COVID-19, their involvement fueled both trust and backlash. Our new paper explores how trust in science influenced voting behavior and government support during the pandemic. 👇
If you want more info about the panel, just drop me a message or send me an email at davide.vittori@ulb.be
May 8, 2025 at 1:02 PM
If you want more info about the panel, just drop me a message or send me an email at davide.vittori@ulb.be