Os grupos de pesquisa em Geografia Física do estado de Minas Gerais: Temas, institucionalização e a formação de Redes de Colaboração Científica

Abstract

The aim of this work is to undertake a more dynamic and comprehensive analysis of the Research Groups in Physical Geography in the state of Minas Gerais, focusing primarily on three variables: the institutionalization of research groups in Brazil, the main research themes, and the formation of networks of scientific collaboration. The discussion conducted here is essentially an exploration of the geographical thought produced within the field of physical geography in Minas Gerais, encompassing two social dimensions of scientific production, grounded in the theoretical frameworks of Bourdieu (2003) and Latour (1996; 2012). To conduct this research, a series of methodological procedures were employed, including a bibliographic survey of dissertations, theses, and articles produced by group members, a documentary survey on Brazilian postgraduate education and research groups, primary data collection, and the subsequent digital processing thereof, guided by a theoretical framework rooted in dialectics. Through these procedures, it became possible to comprehend the process of institutionalization of research groups in Brazil, aligning with the emergence of Public Universities and the consolidation of the National Postgraduate System. We unveiled the existence of seven research groups in Physical Geography in the state of Minas Gerais, whose research themes align with the Research Agenda proposed in the National Postgraduate Program Plan (PNPG) for the period 2011-2021, as well as the key themes historically addressed in Physical Geography. Regarding scientific collaboration networks, it is concluded that they exhibit limited integration among the studied groups and fail in fulfilling the objectives envisioned by the Brazilian state in promoting and inducing the formation of research networks. On the other hand, they prove to be collective instruments that address the individual needs of each research group and its researchers, fostering and consolidating research themes, whether at a national or international level. Key-words: Geographical Thought; Geography´s History; Science and Technology; Research