What happens when scientific evidence meets the trusted voices of faith communities?
For Faith to Action Network, this was one of the questions at the heart of the Culture of Science Conference 2026, held in Nairobi from 8–10 September under the theme “Shaping Africa’s Future through Science.”
The conference brought together policymakers, researchers, innovators, funders, civil society and other stakeholders to consider how science can better contribute to Africa’s health, development and economic future. Among the conversations was a dedicated Faith and Science session, exploring how faith institutions can become stronger partners in communicating science, improving health literacy, sharing research and supporting evidence-informed decision-making.
For Faith to Action Network, the conversation comes at an important time.
Across communities, faith leaders are often trusted sources of information and guidance. They are already having conversations about health, wellbeing, family life and social issues. The opportunity is to strengthen their ability to engage with evidence and connect scientific knowledge with the realities communities experience every day.
From evidence to conversations people can trust
Science does not create impact simply by producing new knowledge. People need to be able to understand it, trust it and see how it connects to their lives.
This is where faith communities can play an important role.
At the conference, discussions highlighted the need to move beyond simply disseminating research findings. Building public trust also means engaging trusted voices, listening to communities and responding to misinformation.
For faith actors, this can mean helping translate complex evidence into language and conversations that communities can engage with, creating safe spaces to discuss health and wellbeing, and bringing community perspectives into conversations with researchers and policymakers.
It also means recognising that faith leaders are not just audiences for scientific information. They can be partners in the science ecosystem.
Creating stronger partnerships
The policy dialogue on “Faith and Science: Building Trusted Partnerships for Public Engagement and Health” provided an opportunity to take this conversation further.
Faith leaders, scientists, researchers, policymakers and public health practitioners explored practical models for collaboration including how faith institutions can contribute to science communication, health literacy, research dissemination and evidence-informed decision-making.
For Faith to Action Network, this was an opportunity to bring the experience and perspectives of a southern-led global interfaith network into a broader conversation about public trust and evidence-informed action.
It also built an important lesson from the conference: communication is not an afterthought to science. It is part of how science reaches people.
Connecting science with community realities
The conversation extends beyond health communication.
Faith networks can help connect researchers and policymakers with community realities and lived experience. They can also support efforts to address misinformation and harmful social norms, while ensuring that faith and community perspectives are considered alongside scientific and technical expertise.
This was particularly relevant for Faith to Action Network’s work across family health and wellbeing, women’s rights and gender justice, and peaceful, just and inclusive communities.
The goal is not to place faith and science in competition.
It is to ask what becomes possible when scientific evidence, community knowledge and trusted faith leadership are brought into the same conversation.
“Science creates evidence. Communities give it meaning. Trusted faith actors can help bridge the two turning knowledge into conversations, confidence and action.”
For Faith to Action Network, the next step is to help build the partnerships that can make that bridge stronger.
