New Science Leadership and Student Agency Drive Inclusive Science Popularization in Brazil

Two significant developments highlight Brazil's ongoing commitment to integrating science with social development. Germana Pires has been appointed as the new Secretary of Science and Technology for Social Development at the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MCTI). With a strong background in public management and regional development, especially in Tocantins and the Amazon, Pires emphasizes popularizing science nationwide to reduce inequalities and ensure scientific progress benefits underprivileged communities. She aims to continue the policies of her predecessor, Inácio Arruda, focusing on social participation, research funding, and transforming science into tangible social impacts, advancing inclusive and equitable development through knowledge.

Complementing this leadership shift, the state of Mato Grosso do Sul inaugurated the Agência Mídia Ciência, a groundbreaking scientific communication agency involving 32 public school students and 8 teachers in a year-long program. This initiative, a collaboration between Universidade Estadual de Mato Grosso do Sul (UEMS), Fundect, and the state government, trains youth to communicate scientific projects effectively on social media, responding to the challenge of engaging digitally native audiences who spend over 9.5 hours daily on screens. Participants receive monthly scholarships and undergo workshops in visual identity, audiovisual production, scientific methods, and ethical technology use. The project aims to cultivate a new generation of scientific communicators while making science more accessible to diverse communities across several municipalities. Feedback indicates strong positive impacts on academic and personal development among participants.

Together, these efforts demonstrate Brazil's strategic emphasis on popularizing science inclusively and leveraging regional leadership to foster social justice through knowledge and innovation.