The book “Ideias Sobre Ciência, Tecnologia e Ensino Superior pela Comunidade do Instituto Superior Técnico, de Maio de 2017 a Dezembro 2020”, a compilation of opinion pieces by members of Técnico community in the Portuguese newspaper “Jornal i”, was launched on 21st May.
“I would like to thank the collaboration of all who were part of this project”, said the Técnico president, professor Rogério Colaço, which included the authors, the book editors, the IST Press and the Portuguese newspaper “jornal i” editorial board.
The book was presented by David Marçal, Science Communicator. “This book brings Science and Technology closer to people”, he said. “We must continue to promote scientific culture and bring it to the general public”.
“Science is not only up to scientists and must relate to other knowledge. Many people have never really met a scientist, so the image of scientists comes from science fiction. For this reason, it is important that scientists present themselves in the public space, in order to combat this stereotyped image”, said David Marçal.
“It was a great honour and privilege to participate in this project”, said professor Fátima Montemor, Vice-president of Técnico for Research and International Affairs, and one of the authors of the book. “I must say that it was a challenge for me to write in a more accessible way in order to reach the general public. I had to write maybe 5 times, I erased and started writing again”, she added.
“Writing about a scientific topic in a clear and simple way that everyone can understand is not an easy task, but it is very interesting”, shared professor Fátima Montemor. “We all develop very interesting work, here at Técnico, and we have the duty to share it with the rest of the society, because people sometimes have some strange ideas about the work of researchers and what they do in the laboratory”, she added.
“This is an interesting initiative that promotes Técnico’s image”, said professor Arlindo Oliveira, former Técnico president and one of the authors of the book. “I think it’s very positive to write in other magazines or newspapers other than just those in which we traditionally write our scientific articles”, he added.
The book consists of a series of opinion pieces written over the past 4 years, covering topics as diverse as the environment, climate, computer science, communications, economics, teaching, physics, mobility, nanotechnology, robotics, the relationship between Science and society, the pandemic, etc. The book is available at IST Press for € 13.50.
