Science Overlooked in Brazil's 2026 Election Campaign, Raising Concerns from SBPC
Brazil's 2026 election campaign sidelines science and technology issues, prompting SBPC concern and highlighting the need for integrated public policy dialogue.
- • SBPC president Francilene Garcia criticizes neglect of science in 2026 election debates.
- • Key scientific challenges like climate change and public health are overshadowed by political scandals.
- • SBPC's Observatório das Eleições proposes over 100 public policies to promote science in politics.
- • A seminar on science and society at UCS aims to address the intersection of technology and societal needs.
Key details
As Brazil approaches the 2026 elections, the Sociedade Brasileira para o Progresso da Ciência (SBPC) has voiced alarm over the lack of attention given to science and technology by political candidates. SBPC President Francilene Garcia highlighted how key scientific issues such as climate change, public health crises, an aging population, energy transition, and critical mineral processing are being overshadowed by political scandals, leaving these vital topics largely absent from electoral debates.
Despite efforts by SBPC to engage candidates through its Observatório das Eleições initiative—proposing over one hundred public policy suggestions to bring science to the forefront—the campaign discourse remains focused on institutional integrity to the detriment of national development discussions involving scientific foresight.
Garcia criticized the false choice presented to voters between addressing governance crises and investing in future-oriented science policies. She noted that historically, science has been marginalized in elections in Brazil, even after recent crises have underscored the importance of scientific planning for pandemics and digital transformation.
In a related development, the XIII Seminar on Technology, Innovation, and Social Development (STIDS) will begin September 15 at the Universidade de Caxias do Sul, aiming to bridge science, technology, and society. The event emphasizes interdisciplinary solutions to urgent challenges such as artificial intelligence and sustainability, reflecting a broader societal interest in integrating science with public needs.
The SBPC’s call for greater scientific engagement in politics underscores a critical gap in Brazil’s 2026 electoral campaign, with the scientific community urging a more inclusive discussion on Brazil's future challenges and opportunities.
This article was translated and synthesized from Brazilian sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
