78th SBPC Annual Meeting: University of Münster attends the latest edition in Rio de Janeiro

The Brazil Centre of the University of Münster took part in the 78th Annual Meeting of the Brazilian Society for the Advancement of Science (SBPC), held from 26 July to 1 August at the Fluminense Federal University (UFF) in Niterói (state of Rio de Janeiro). The event is Brazil's largest scientific gathering and had as its central theme "Science for all: sovereignty, development and inclusion".

The event was attended by a diverse audience, including academics, researchers, ministers, public policymakers, students and representatives from a wide range of institutions. With more than 23,000 registered participants, it is estimated that the total attendance exceeded 60,000 people over the course of the week.

The University of Münster was represented by Cíntia Toth Gonçalves, Director of the Liaison Office of the Brazil Centre, who was part of the delegation of the German Centre for Research and Innovation São Paulo (DWIH-SP).

With a comprehensive programme, the event included the presentation of scientific studies and debates on public policy in the fields of science, technology and innovation, and was also attended by prominent public figures, such as President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Luciana Santos, and the Mayor of Niterói, Rodrigo Neves.

A notable round table, entitled "Academic Freedom and Science Communication", brought together Brazilian and German experts to discuss the importance of science communication in the fight against disinformation. The panel featured contributions from Professor Ulrike Brandt-Bohne of the German National Institute for Science Communication (Nationales Institut für Wissenschaftskommunikation, NaWik); Luisa Massarani, researcher at the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz) and coordinator of the National Institute of Public Communication in Science and Technology (INCT-CPCT); and Fabio Pannunzio, CEO of the Hora Jurídica portal and former reporter for broadcasters such as TV Globo and Bandeirantes. During the panel, organised and promoted by the DWIH-SP and the SBPC, it was emphasised that science communication should not be seen as a secondary activity, but as an essential part of the research mission.

The debate addressed public trust in science in both countries, highlighting the need for researchers to develop the ability to communicate their findings clearly and rigorously, thereby preventing information gaps from being filled by denialist discourse or the distortion of scientific data. Annual participation in the event reinforces the commitment of the Brazil Centre of the University of Münster to strengthening academic ties between Brazil and Münster and to promoting the exchange of perspectives on the future of science and the democratisation of knowledge.