The Influence of Industry and the Participation of Global South Researchers in the Dissemination of Scientific Knowledge: A Retrospective Longitudinal Analysis of IADR Conferences

• Grant number: 25/07860-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: June 01, 2025
• End date: May 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Dentistry - Pediatric Dentistry
• Principal Investigator: Thiago Cruvinel da Silva
• Grantee: Isabella Fernanda Baptista
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Odontologia de Bauru (FOB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Bauru , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Scientific conferences contribute significantly to the development of collaborativenetworks, the dissemination of knowledge, and the strengthening of scientific research.In the field of Dentistry, the International Association for Dental, Oral, and CraniofacialResearch (IADR) stands out for promoting events that foster international exchange andrecognize academic excellence. In Brazil, this mission is carried out through the BrazilianSociety for Dental Research (SBPqO). However, the rapid growth in the number ofscientific events worldwide has raised concerns about their actual effectiveness, leadingto topic redundancy and information overload. This model is tied to the "publish orperish" policy, which originated in the Global North and pressures researchers toprioritize topics with higher editorial acceptance-often influenced by industryinterests-at the expense of socially relevant issues. This scenario reveals an imbalancein the production and circulation of knowledge, favoring researchers from the GlobalNorth, who hold the majority of publications and research funding. Conversely,researchers from the Global South face structural barriers that hinder their inclusion ininternational academic spaces. Africa, for instance, still grapples with persistent forms ofintellectual colonialism that limit its autonomy and undervalue its academic output. Inthis context, it becomes imperative to assess the influence of industry in the disseminationof scientific knowledge, as well as the representation of Global South researchers askeynote speakers in IADR-promoted events, in order to identify and address inequalitiesin global scientific representation. This study aims to longitudinally assess the frequencyof industry-sponsored courses in research conference programs and the frequency oflectures delivered by researchers affiliated with Global South institutions at IADR dentalresearch conferences. The study will be conducted through a retrospective longitudinalanalysis of the official programs of the most recent editions of the IADR General Session& Exhibition, held between the years 2000 and 2024. Data collected will be organizedand subsequently analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively, using thematic contentanalysis and trend analysis of prevalence variations in time series through the MannKendall test.