Psychologists in Science: Where We Stand in 60 Years of the Profession in Brazil

Abstract

This study analyzes the participation of Psychology in the National System of Science, Technology and Innovation (SNCTI), placing it among the major areas of knowledge. For this purpose, it took the current panorama of research productivity fellowship (PQ) distribution at the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) as reference. It presents the distribution of PQ grants by modality and gender to discuss gender inequalities, both in the general sphere of science and within Psychology. Data was collected from the bank of active researcher(s) made available by CNPq in 2019, consisting of 12,917 PQ fellows, including all areas. All major areas of knowledge showed inequalities in access to resources for research promotion, particularly in terms of PQ quota distribution. The results also point to regional inequalities and gender asymmetries in the academic and research career reflected in the quantity and modality of the FP grant in all areas of knowledge, especially Psychology. In the set of quotas made available by CNPq, Psychology, throughout its 60 years of existence, still holds an insignificant percentage. To some extent, this scenario stems from the fact that Psychology is historically marked as a predominantly female profession, as an applied discipline and with little tradition in the scientific field and knowledge production.

Keywords: Psychology; Science and Technology; Gender Inequalities; Research Productivity