Science Arena: Einstein platform releases research – 07/25/2023 – Science

The Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein launched this month the Science Arena, a communication platform created to promote dialogue between scientists and disseminate research.

With reports, interviews, essays and analyzes in Portuguese and English, the space aims to reflect on the directions of science in Brazil and in the world, joining efforts in the fight against misinformation.

“The purpose of the Science Arena is to be a vehicle that promotes interaction, exchange and sharing of knowledge between researchers with a focus on improving the health of the population”, says Débora Pratali, director of institutional communication at Einstein.

For her, the moment is opportune to put the project on the air because the Covid-19 pandemic has demonstrated the urgency and the need for scientific dissemination actions and, also, the elaboration of public policies is more anchored in scientific evidence.

“Whether in the fight against food insecurity, climate change or health inequity, science must induce transformations”, he argues.

The launch coincides with a critical phase for national science. In 2022, Brazil had its first decrease in the publication of scientific articles since 1996. The reduction was 7.4%, the same rate registered in Ukraine, which has been suffering strong impacts due to the war with Russia.

Among the hypotheses for the shrinkage are the pandemic and the lack of resources allocated to Brazilian science in recent years.

The issue of national scientific funding is one of the topics that should be addressed in the new portal — although it is focused on health sciences, Pratali says that the space encompasses broader topics, such as scientific policy and ethics in research.

“It is increasingly necessary for humanity’s great challenges to be faced in a systemic way, involving multiple actors in society and different areas of knowledge. Health is not just a matter for doctors”, says the platform’s editor, Bruno de Pierro.

The platform has collaborators from different areas and is open to contributions. The suggestions, explains Pierro, are evaluated by the Editorial Board, which analyzes the scope, relevance and depth of the contents for the scientific community.

“We will also have video, podcast and event reporting. All of this will contribute to an even richer and more engaging conversation.”