An ad hoc committee will plan and convene a public workshop to explore public confidence and trust in key elements of the life sciences enterprise-- e.g., its institutions, the science/discovery process, and in scientists themselves.The workshop will feature invited presentations and provide opportunities for discussion between expert researchers and practitioners in complementary fields that often operate in relative isolation from one another, such as decision making and risk analysis, science communication, cognitive science, behavioral economics, diffusion-of-innovation theory, and the life sciences (e.g. agricultural and food sciences, ecology, and biomedical sciences). Workshop discussions will explore empirical evidence on public opinion and attitudes toward life sciences as they relate to societal issues, whether and how contentious debate about select life science topics mediates trust (for example, de-extinction, synthetic biology, embryonic stem cells, and genetically modified organisms, among others), and the roles that scientists, business, media, community groups, and other stakeholders play in creating and maintaining public confidence in life sciences. The workshop will highlight research on the elements of trust and how to build, mend, or maintain trust; and examine best practices in the context of scientist engagement with lay audiences around social issues. The committee will develop the agenda topics, select and invite speakers and discussants, and moderate the discussions. An individually authored summary of the presentations and discussions at the workshop will be prepared by a designated rapporteur in accordance with institutional guidelines.