Science communication in Brazil: A historical review and considerations about the current situation

Abstract

In this paper, we present a historical overview of the science communication activities in Brazil since the nineteenth century and we analyze the current situation and its main concerns. The principal scopes and tools for science communication discussed here are the following: science centers and museums, mass media and large public events for communicating science and technology (S&T). In recent years, such activities have had a significant breakthrough in Brazil. Yet, there is still a long way to go in order to deliver a quality and extensive science and technology communication to the Brazilians as well as to achieve a suitable level of social appropriation of knowledge on S&T by the Brazilian society. Some of the main challenges that we are facing are discussed herein.

Science communication as a field of research: identifying trends, challenges and gaps by analysing research papers

“…However, it is important to take note of the particular science communication challenges that are prevalent in developing countries in general, and in some African countries in particular, that may restrict science communication research outputs coming from this continent. Historically, science was suppressed in Africa during colonial times, similarly to the way it was kept away from Brazilian citizens during the Portuguese occupation, as described by Massarani and De Castro Moreira [2016]. Only the colonial powers had access to scientific knowledge thanks to their education and links with Europe, and their scientific interests were focused on their own needs in fields such as navigation, astronomy, cartography, mining, plantations, and the use of local plants, as well as the collection of plant and animal specimens that were sent back to Europe.…”

“…Ndlovu, Joubert and Boshoff [2016] illustrate how the lack of incentives and the censoring of politically sensitive findings limit public communication of research findings in Zimbabwe. Massarani and De Castro Moreira [2016] discuss the challenges of effectively communicating science in a very large country with widely dispersed rural populations -a situation that is relevant in many African countries. Hin and Subramaniam [2014] further explicate some of the social and structural barriers that typically constrain public science communication in developing countries.…”

In the footsteps of Einstein, Sagan and Barnard: Identifying South Africa’s most visible scientists

“…20 This was also the case during British colonial rule in South Africa (1795-1910). The country's science system continued to serve mostly its white population and government interests 21 during the racially segregated apartheid regime , thereby continuing to isolate the majority of the country's citizens from science and suppressing the communication of scientific ideas 22 .…”

Challenges of communicating science: perspectives from the Philippines

“…Because the Philippines has over 7,000 islands, respondents also raised the challenge of communicating science in poorly-serviced and impoverished regions outside Metro Manila. This challenge is shared by large countries like Australia [Stocklmayer, 2003] and Brazil [Massarani and De Castro Moreira, 2016], which have both launched mobile science initiatives to overcome geographical constraints. Although the Philippines has initiatives like the Mind Museum's traveling exhibitions [Tantiangco, 2018a] and the DOST's Science Xplorer Bus [Santisteban, 2017], one respondent noted that these efforts may never reach truly isolated areas.…”