Both in Brazil and internationally, physicist Marcelo Knobel has been a champion of higher education institutions and investment in scientific research, for the good of any modern society. In addition to being a full research professor, Knobel is the former rector of the University of Campinas, where he fostered interdisciplinary collaborations and innovative education programs. He has also done research on what he calls “effective communication” between higher education institutions and the public, while practicing what he preaches by disseminating articles, opinion pieces, books, and a podcast intended for a non-specialized audience.

In the fall of 2022, I had my first InterDialogue with Knobel, in which we spoke about many mutual interests related to interdisciplinarity, the importance of a public appreciation of science, and the need for researchers and research institutions to improve their communication with the public in an age of rampant misinformation. We also spoke extensively about the buildup of the scientific research ecosystem in Brazil over decades, its rapid dismantling under the past administration, and the long-term consequences to Brazilian society via phenomena such as the brain drain of talented graduate-level students and researchers from Brazil.

Chapters

00:00 – Introduction and Background of Marcelo Knobel

01:15 – The Importance of Investment in Higher Education and Scientific Research

06:16 – The Consequences of Budget Cuts and Brain Drain on Research

14:31 – Improving Communication Between Research Institutions and the Public

20:42 – Challenges in Reestablishing Trust in Science and Evidence

32:26 – How Supporting Science is Necessary for a Fair and Sustainable Future