Abstract

MENDES, Ione Maria; MASSARANI, Luisa  and  CASTELFRANCHI, Yurij. Science and Technology: Youth Perception in the City of Rio de Janeiro. RLEC/LJCS [online]. 2022, vol.9, n.2, pp.61-80.  Epub May 01, 2023. ISSN 2184-0458.  https://doi.org/10.21814/rlec.3975.

Numerous challenges faced by contemporary democracies are related to circulation, social appropriation, and debate on and use of technoscientific knowledge. As such, the study of science and technology perceptions, as well as attitudes and practices in knowledge appropriation across diverse strata of the population, are today a central theme in both academic and administrative contexts regarding indicator and policy design. In this context, one demographic stands out for its peculiarities: individuals between 18 and 24 years old, born and raised in the presence of the internet in Brazil, arriving at adulthood through a socialization process in which online platforms, along with school and family environments, played a central role. This study adopted a qualitative approach to explore, investigate, and contextualize this demographic’s opinions and perceptions of science and technology, conducting five in-depth interviews followed by five group discussions with young residents of Rio de Janeiro city. We collected a rich trove of data from these individuals that presents a positive perspective on science and technology, recognition of its benefits and risks, and connections of related activity to social context, eliciting reflections and potential for establishing dialogue and communication.

Keywords : science communication; youth; young people; science and technology; science and society.

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