Scientific Journalism for Climate and Agriculture: Communication Strategies for the BI0S Agro Track

• Grant number: 25/18901-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Journalism
• Start date: November 01, 2025
• End date: October 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Applied Social Sciences - Communications - Journalism and Publishing
• Principal Investigator: Simone Pallone de Figueiredo
• Grantee: Jaqueline Nichi
• Host Institution: Núcleo de Desenvolvimento da Criatividade (NUDECRI). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Company: Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Faculdade de Engenharia Elétrica e de Computação (FEEC)
• Institution abroad: Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Coordenadoria de Centros e Núcleos Disciplinares (COCEN). Núcleo de Desenvolvimento da Criatividade (NUDECRI), Brazil
• Associated research grant: 20/09838-0 - BI0S - Brazilian Institute of Data Science, AP.PCPE

Abstract

Climate change is one of the most pressing global challenges, with significant impacts on agriculture, food security, the economy, and rural livelihoods. In Brazil, although the issue is central, media coverage remains fragmented, dominated by crisis-driven narratives (droughts, wildfires, floods) and weakly connected to local solutions or to medium- and long-term scientific evidence. This project aims to develop and implement science journalism strategies specifically applied to the interface between climate, agriculture, and Artificial Intelligence-based solutions. The initiative will be carried out within the Agro Track of the Artificial Intelligence Research Center (BI0S) and will combine qualitative and quantitative research on media narratives, communication practices, and the perception of scientific evidence. Based on these findings, the project will design and test innovative, accessible, and critical communication tools to disseminate the advances of Agro/BI0S and strengthen public engagement. The Agro Track's central purpose is to support agricultural decision-making across different time horizons - from immediate irrigation management to crop planning and long-term climate adaptation strategies - by integrating environmental, productive, economic, and social data. Ongoing projects include climate adaptation research in crops such as coffee and cocoa; AI tools for livestock monitoring; wildfire prevention systems integrating historical data and satellite imagery; and modeling of environmental impacts on public health in partnership with the Health Track. Coordinated by Jurandir Zullo Junior (CEPAGRI/UNICAMP), the Agro Track consolidates solutions that combine science, technology, and social impact, while recognizing that innovation is only effective when communicated in an accessible way. Expected outcomes of this project include: (i) the development of evidence-based narratives connecting climate change, agriculture, and AI; (ii) the production of communication materials tailored to different audiences (farmers, journalists, policymakers, civil society); (iii) contributions to combating misinformation; and (iv) support for informed decision-making on sustainable agroclimatic policies and practices. The project also seeks to advance knowledge in science communication in the fields of climate change and agriculture, with the potential to inform public policy and strengthen scientific literacy in Brazil.