Brazilian Research and Studies Center
The Brazilian Studies and Research Center (BRaS) is a non-profit and independent network research center based in Würzburg, Germany. BRaS produces and disseminates relevant social-science research with a focus on Brazil. The center’s core mission is to promote throughout the world scientific research on Brazil with a focus on its political, social, economic, and cultural development. Moreover, the BRaS are committed to the principle of science with and for society.
The PT’s Ideational Origins: Avenues for Research
The emergence of the Workers’ Party (Partido dos Trabalhadores, PT) from the suburbs of São Paulo, its institutionalization, and its later rise to the presidential office in 2002 not only turned traditional Brazilian politics on its head, but it also spurred a flood of research on the phenomenon, commonly referred to as PTlogia in Brazil. An annotated bibliography on the PT from 2013 covers more than 400 pages (Metidieri Menegozzo 2013) and the flow of publications on the party has since continued.
Welcome to BraS-Blog, volume 1 number 2
I remember clearly as a child watching Tintin at night before going to bed. It was my favorite time of the day. Tintin was the kind of character I could rely on not only for a good story but also to help me shape (part of) the worldview and aspirations I have today. As much as I could have been brought up to hate communism, I think I leaned into the other values promoted by the character. Fast forward to 2009, my first exam at university, we were given a Tintin cartoon to criticize for an Anthropology course.
Rural workers in times of pandemic
A careful reading of the news published by the various media points to the absence of references about rural workers. In a country, considered the largest producer of commodities in the world, this may cause some strangeness at first. In fact, rural workers are overshadowed, denied by the wider society. I intend to contribute so that this fog that covers them is removed so that people can see them as essential in this moment of the pandemic that is plaguing us.
The city governments facing the Coronavirus
Since the confirmation of the first case of Covid-19 in Brazil, on February 26th, state and municipal governments have used their large prerogatives to control contamination and minimize the impacts of the pandemic. The president’s position opened up space for sub-national governments to rise to the position of protagonists in the crisis. After two months, the questions are: what are the main measures adopted by the municipalities; what is the speed and stability of the response of the local government officials; what relationship predominated between mayors, governors, and the president?
Academic staff
M.A. Anna Bennech
DFG research fellow and Ph.D. candidate in Political Science at the University of Würzburg
M.A. Claudia Pires de Castro
Masters student in Political Science at the University of Vienna
M.A. Giovanna Imbernon
Ph.D. candidate in Cultural Studies at the University of Coimbra (CES/IIIUC)
Guilherme Souza
MSc Candidate in Environmental Risks and Human Security at the United Nations University and the University of Bonn.
M.A. Jayane Maia
GIGA Research Fellow and PhD candidate in Political Science at the University of Hamburg
M.A. Lucas Thixbai Fraga
Ph.D. Candidate in Public Policy at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro
M.A. Matheus Jones Zago
DFG research fellow and Ph.D. candidate in Political Science at University of Würzburg
M.A. Matheus Lucas Hebling
Ph.D. candidate in Political Science at the University of Campinas (UNICAMP)
M.A. Thaís Cavalcante Martins
Ph.D. candidate in Political Science at the Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar)
Dr. Eric Nogueira Andrade
Junior Ph.D. researcher
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Research groups
This research group investigates various forms of social and political attitudes and political dynamics in Brazil. It deals with the impact of social and institutional change, at the national and local levels, on the political regime, the processes of political participation and accountability, the electoral and party systems, the interplay between elites and society, and on the public policymaking. Its research agenda also includes the determinants of political support and behavior, the consequences of informal practices, such as clientelism and corruption, on the rule of law, the role of new media technologies on politics, the process of democratization and measures of transitional justice, and the relationship between democracy, citizenship, and violence, with an emphasis on the role played by the civil society.
This research group examines the mechanisms and interventions that lead (or not) to greater economic growth, focusing on three key topics: i) the impacts of welfare policies on economic growth, inclusiveness, and sustainability; ii) the relationships between labour, and both productive system and social-political systems; and iii) the effects of international cooperation and global socio-economic transitions on growth and structural change in Brazil. By focusing on the exchange between economy, society, and labour, it addresses the conditions by which individuals can participate amply in economic and social life, as well as the changes in social and labour relations thanks to the capitalization of the economy. Its research agenda also covers how global challenges such as climate change, and attempts at promoting global governance impact on the Brazilian economic growth.
This research group studies identities and social differences, particularly the formation of collective identities and the process of inclusiveness in Brazilian society. Reflections on racial, gender and ethnic inequalities based on the dialogue between political and social theories are welcomed, as well as studies on the production and diffusion of collective memory and values, and their relationship with power and culture. It also encompasses studies on religiousness, nationalism, ideologies, and the applicability of human rights to minority or marginalized groups. Finally, it addresses the connections between ideas, discourses, and agency, seeking to grasp how significant ideas and discourses arise and spread, which actors play a role in this process, and how the state and non-state actors take these ideas.
This research group focuses on discussions about ontology, epistemology, teaching and research, and their different methods, and how they are used in Brazilian studies. Moreover, it seeks to analyze the processes of production and circulation of different forms of knowledge (scientific, indigenous, empirical, theoretical) and their effects on cultural and social development. It also investigates relations between theoretical and methodological schemes and the repercussions of epistemological frameworks on the ways of thinking the social sciences. It connects the construction of analytical and interpretative models with approaches such as modernity, post-modernity, globalization, and post-colonialism. Its research agenda also entails reflections of conceptual vocabularies and logical-discursive formations, including the cognitive and social aspects of human language
This research group aims to discuss new trends in educational, scientific, and technology policies, including their impacts on the national development process. It discusses the participation of various social actors in the elaboration of these policies: the State, the productive sector, and the scientific community. It also investigates the conditions and new practices for the production of scientific and technological knowledge, considering the context of globalization, the democratization of society, the center-periphery relations, as well as their impacts on Brazilian society. Its research agenda also comprise emerging educational issues such as the diversification and evolution of higher education over time, institutional assessment, and the training of professional and scientific staff.
- masters’ or Ph.D. students/candidates in Political Science or correlated areas;
- former experience with independent and original research on the political, social and economic situation in Brazil;
- full work proficiency in English (German knowledge will be a differential);
- availability to dedicate a few hours per month to academic activities.
- review scientific abstracts and papers;
- organization of books and annals of events;
- support for publications by BRaS members.
- fees exemptions in BRaS’ events;
- contact and interaction with an international researchers’ network;
- experience in organizing academic publications and reviewing academic productions;
- contact with institutions in Europe and Brazil.