In recent years, numerous initiatives have emerged in Argentina where both scientists and artists combine science and theatre, either as a form of art and/or public science communication. In order to understand the current state of this field, a research was conducted involving an exhaustive search, a survey, and interviews. The goal was to identify what actions are being carried out in our country and who, how, and why these practices, which could be termed scientific theatre, are being developed, as well as to explore their histories, interests, and perceptions regarding this practice

In this article, we share a creative and pedagogical process that brings the so-called "science on stage" to life, emerging at the intersection of theater and science. Through a theater methodology, we use elements of the clown genre to develop a formative process rich in bodily and emotional expression, integrating narratives around science and culminating in a stage proposal. The result is an educational experience where emotion and reflection emerge as the undisputed protagonists, promoting deeper learning and a more meaningful connection with the audience, and in turn, a connection between the audience and scientific themes.

In Argentine institutes and scientific research centers, efforts are rarely dedicated to public science communication (PSC), which weakens the connection with the society to which they belong. For this reason, in 2015, the Institute of Limnology “Dr. Raúl A. Ringuelet” (La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina) created its Extension and Communication Area, which has coordinated numerous activities at science fairs, schools, and neighborhoods. Through the implementation of a relational approach, adaptable to similar institutions, solid connections have been established with various sectors, and the internal revaluation and enhancement of PSC.

The study describes and analyzes the production of a health communication podcast based on the ‘Health Handbook of Persons Affected by Leprosy’, produced by the Brazilian Ministry of Health, in 2020. In a study that analyzed the perception of users treated at a specialized public outpatient clinic, it was observed that some of them were unable to read and interpret printed text. The perceived difficulties motivated the adaptation of the content and, thus, the Podhans podcast was created. With accessible and relaxed language, the 16 episodes explore useful topics about the daily lives of people with leprosy and the disease, created from listening to users and considering principles of public communication. Available online, it can be used in the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) services and by social movements, expanding access to health information and communication about leprosy.

The article analyzes the series of reports Behind the Scenes of Science, produced by Jornal UFG in 2020, as an action to combat disinformation, spurred by attacks on a researcher during the covid-19 health emergency. In the content analysis of the series’ articles, it is possible to understand some of the values highlighted in the reports as a strategy of credibility of science and the university, as well as of the journalism. In this case, journalism serves as a filter of reality and strategy for defending institutions and science.

 

During the covid-19 pandemic in Brazil, it was observed that a great number of false messages circulated on social media. Most of these messages featured scientific and technological elements. This article analyzes how scientific and technological aspects were used in false messages about the pandemic. From the Latam Chequea Coronavírus databank, we have compiled 152 false messages that featured the inappropriate use of scientific knowledge. The results showed that false messages appropriated science and technology to usurp their social value in search of credibility. To achieve this, the fake news used verbal-visual resources, authorities and mixed true and false information

“Compartir las ciencias. Comunicación y apropiación de conocimientos en la extensión universitaria” invites us to think about the place of Public Communication of Science (CPC) and Social Appropriation of Knowledge (ASC) in university extension practices. Through a case study - Universidad Nacional de Entre Ríos-, it goes through different historical developments of the CPC, the ASC and the different conceptions of university extension in Latin America.

This qualitative, documentary research analyzed the profile of recipients of Productivity in Research (PQ) grants in Science Communication (DC) from the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) in Brazil. Data were collected from calls between 2013 and 2021 and curricula from the Lattes platform. The results indicated that women are the majority among PQ grant holders in DC. Most of them hold PQ-E grants, are concentrated in the Southeast, and have diverse educational backgrounds. The field of DC does not follow the trend of the PQ system, revealing a gender parity situation with a slight female advantage. However, this does not imply a favorable position for female researchers due to prevailing gender prejudices.

We question, from the perspective of public communication, how the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Brazil) responded to COVID-19. The question, asked to communication professionals at the institution two years after the start of the pandemic, sought to identify challenges and elements of institutional learning and understand the possibilities and limits of communication in the context of disinfodemic and political crisis. Qualitative research of an exploratory nature carried out through semi-structured interviews and, alternatively, the use of documentary sources indicates that Fiocruz recognizes public communication (science and health) as a process under construction and a strategic and structuring factor for the full implementation of its Communication Policy.

This article investigates the role of media behavior in the adherence of Brazilians to the three main non-pharmacological measures (NPIs) endorsed by global health organizations against COVID-19: the use of face masks, social distancing, and frequent handwashing. Following the outbreak of a pandemic when vaccines are not yet available, the adoption of these behaviors may be the only effective measure against the threats of a new disease. Grounded in social cognitive theory, we examine the behavioral determinants of adherence to these measures in Brazil, a middle-income country marked by significant economic and informational inequalities. Brazil, one of the countries most severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, was led by former President Jair Bolsonaro, who showed little regard for the use of face masks and encouraged large gatherings at political events. Our findings, based on an online survey administered to a sample of 2,771 individuals, indicate that media-related determinants such as knowledge about COVID-19, the use of social and traditional media, and belief in a conspiracy theory regarding the origin of the coronavirus play a significant role in explaining adherence to preventive measures. In contrast, other determinants such as political preferences, sociodemographic characteristics, and environmental factors play a secondary role.

The environmental dimension goes through different aspects linked to health, biodiversity, well-being and sustainability of human and non-human life. Although these are manifested in several regions of the world, Latin America has been particularly affected. In this context, science communication becomes even more necessary, but also challenging. It was this context that motivated us to make the call for this special issue of JCOM Latin America on the environment and science communication, which we present in this editorial.