Discourses and strategies of science communication in the book The Periodic Table by Primo Levi

• Grant number: 23/12333-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research
• Start date: July 01, 2024
• End date: December 31, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Interdisciplinary Subjects
• Principal Investigator: Luciana Massi
• Grantee: Luciana Massi
• Host Investigator: Enrico Mattioda
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências e Letras (FCL). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Araraquara. Araraquara , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: International Primo Levi Studies Center, Italy

Abstract

Despite advances in research and scientific communication actions, challenges persist in expanding access to and science understanding by society. Primo Levi, a famous chemist, writer and Auschwitz survivor, published The Periodic Table which was considered by the Royal Institution of Great Britain to be the best science book of all time. His many interviews and lectures made him consider "parlatore" as his third craft. We produced the museographic exhibition A Quimiscritor at the Museum: science, literature and human rights with Primo Levi, in physical and digital form, which explores part of Levi's potential. However, we identified that few studies surveyed and theoretically explored his contribution to scientific communication, capturing the specificity of his discourse and communication strategy that earned him such recognition and awards. Access to the extended document collection of the Centro Internazionale di Studi Primo Levi is fundamental for the development of this project, whose objective is to characterize the discourse and strategies of scientific dissemination present in the work The Periodic Table of Primo Levi. This study contributes to new research paradigms in science communication, which understand science as part of culture, including its social, economic and political aspects. In addition, upon reaching our goal, we will be able to indicate new strategies for scientific communication aimed at expanding our exposure and suggesting successful paths for this field of studies and practices.