On the Writing of History of Science in Brazil in the Second Half of the 20th Century

The present article is elaborated in two parts. In the first part, we present a survey of authors and their works that throughout the second half of the 20th century, developed significant references for the history of science in Brazil, establishing and consolidating this field of studies in the country, with an exacerbated emphasis on the historical aspects that occurred in Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. In the second part of the article, we present a concrete historical experience in the 19th century, in the province of Ceará, totally disregarded by the traditional and the current historiographic production of history of science. This situation ultimately raises the question: What is the history of Brazilian science? What are the determinants of the history of science in Brazil? To what extent is the history of science in Brazil national?

A Scientometric Study of Foraminiferal Research in Brazil

ABSTRACT Scientometrics is a field of study that involves measuring and analyzing scientific literature and can be a valuable tool to assess and reveal major gaps in national scientific production. Among the major challenges for Brazilian science is the development of research in the extensive national marine realm. This paper provides a scientometric survey of papers involving foraminiferal research in Brazil. The metrics utilized were papers listed in “Capes Portal” and “Scopus” databases up to the year of 2019. A total of 324 papers were found and 177 were selected based upon criteria established. A generalized additive model (GAM) was used to establish a relationship between publications and time. Studies involving foraminifera increased in Brazil from 1952 to 2019. Most studies have been conducted in the southeast region. We identified the need for more research on foraminifera to be carried out in the Brazilian continental margin, especially in the north and northeast regions of the country.

Perceptions, relationships, expectations, and challenges: Views of communication and research for scientific dissemination in Brazilian Federal Institutes

Communicating Brazilian science still seems to be a challenge for journalists and researchers of public institutions of education and science. In this sense, this research aims to identify and analyze scientists’ perceptions regarding the work of journalists, the relationship between these groups, the expectations, and the challenges of science communication in two Federal Institutes of Education in Brazil. We conducted a mixed study in the qualitative stage with the participation of 30 interviewees, and in the quantitative stage, journalists and researchers answered a questionnaire (n = 242). Our results indicated that the work of science communication is not carried out properly in both Institutes and that there is a lack of articulated work among both journalists, communicators, and researchers. The relationship between these groups needs to be built jointly. In this respect, the biggest challenges are to institutionalize science communication, establish a science communication plan, and overcome internal relationship barriers. Our results may underpin science communication policies and policies for scientific dissemination both institutional or even national levels.

Institutional, inter-organizational, and financial factors in science parks: a study from the perspective of collaborative governance

This study investigates the importance of fundamental elements of collaborative arrangements from the perspective of the actors operating in Brazilian science parks, and assesses whether these collaborative arrangements are found in the parks’ daily practices. Factor analysis identified ten variables considered most relevant, separated into three factors: (i) individual - commitment and motivation among actors; (ii) inter-organizational - interdependence between parties, the participation of all institutions in decision-making, the involvement of various institutions, and trust; and (iii) financial - funding sources and investments. Frequency analysis identified three elements of collaborative governance, although they are not highly prevalent in Brazilian science parks: commitment among actors, participation of all institutions in decision-making, and investment-related issues.

“Estrutura da Celula Nervoza”, by Bruno Lobo and Gaspar Vianna (1908): a pioneering work on Brazilian Neuroscience

ABSTRACT Currently, the scientific production in Neuroscience in Brazil is very rich, but, historically, it has been scarce at first. The aim of this study is to present the work “Estrutura da Celula Nervoza”, by Bruno Lobo and Gaspar Vianna (1908), as a pioneering work for Brazilian science.