Opinion – Sandro Macedo: A science VAR for every politician

​Although Brazilian refereeing has received a lot of criticism as a result of the implementation of VAR and the football community has asked for an improvement in technology, it was precisely in this context that important discussions about the professionalization and rights of refereeing emerged.

In Brazil, refereeing is not professionalized — unlike the Premier League, for example, which has a professional refereeing team that is a reference around the world. Among us, however, the preparation and qualification of the referee can be hampered by the lack of rights. And what does that have to do with science?

Well, when talking about a model of science policy in our country, some important issues also need to be discussed, such as the rights of researchers, the political will to translate knowledge into effective public actions and the importance of scientific dissemination in accessible language.

Our production of scientific knowledge is mainly carried out by university professors and master’s and doctoral students – therefore, it is essential to invest in grants and research projects, training and infrastructure for laboratories. We need to recognize and guarantee the rights of these professionals dedicated to science, who study and work within the university.

Does this political will to translate knowledge into effective public actions exist or is it a mere manifestation of empty ideas during an election period?

In mid-2016, a proposal for reforming secondary education was still being discussed, in which physical education would be out of the curriculum, no longer mandatory – contrary to the findings of science on the undeniable benefits of physical activity, even more so in our country. , where many children and adolescents practice physical activity and eat only at school. If, from the point of view of science, there was already a consensus, why in the middle of 2016 was there still a discussion about the mandatory practice at school?

Science needs to be disseminated in every corner of the country, in simple and accessible language – and that is the responsibility of all of us. Knowledge cannot be confined to universities, to debates between peers. We have a right to know what is done with tax money.

Whether for sport or science, we must build a possible dialogue with the whole of society and especially with those who produce public actions, laws and guidelines in the country. Not that a science VAR will solve all problems, but it is time to try to do it differently, to rebuild the Brazilian public debate, to develop a proactive model of science policy for education and the reconstruction of the country.

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This column was written for the #scienceinelections campaign, which celebrates Science Month. In July, columnists give up their space to reflect on the role of science in the reconstruction of Brazil. Who writes is Barbara de Paula Pires Franco Guimarães, university professor, coordinator of the projects Rap and Science (Fiocruz/RJ) and Physical Activity for All (Complexo dos Macacos – Vila Isabel/RJ).