Social Observatories and inequalities in Brazil: An exploratory and descriptive analysis

Abstract

This article aims to synthesize the results of an exploratory and descriptive analysis of social observatories. This research was conducted to support a social observatory of inequalities, created in a Brazilian public university. We understand social observatories as mechanisms that produce, diffuse, and “translate” information, contributing to social participation and control. Therefore, they are also able to contribute to improving public action, including those towards inequalities. Drawing on articles and document analysis, the research embraced two stages. Firstly, we built an overview of scientific production on social observatories in Brazil, based on a systematic review of 23 scientific articles, indexed to SciELO and Spell (2010-2020). Secondly, we researched 56 observatories, mainly Brazilians. As main results, first, the inexistence or incipience of a research agenda on the theme was identified. Through the analysis of experiences, we described the following structural elements: 1) themes and types; 2) origin, partnerships, and financing; 3) objectives, expected results, and products. Concerning the best practices, the highlights were: 1) production and dissemination of information (e.g., indicators and monitoring methodologies); 2) “translation” of information into popular and citizen language; 3) building and consolidating networks (including participatory governance strategies). The research on the cases confirms what the literature highlights about social observatories: they work as tools to participation and social control, regardless of origin, partnerships, types, themes, and objectives.

Keywords

• social observatories
• inequalities observatory
• participation and social control
• information access
• public policy