Report lists 107 scientists in Brazil who most influence decisions

The five most influential researchers in decision-making are from Ufpel (Federal University of Pelotas) and USP. In order: César Victora (Ufpel), Carlos Monteiro (USP), Aluísio Barros (Ufpel), Paulo Saldiva (USP) and Pedro Hallal (Ufpel). They all work in health or at the intersection between health and environment and have more than 5,500 citations in documents linked to public decisions.

For Ufpel professor emeritus Cesar Victora, who leads the list, supporting and directing public policies is the “highest recognition a scientist can receive from society”. According to him, “only with evidence-based policies and programs can we neutralize the circulation of false and dangerous information.”

Victora has 231 academic works mentioned in 3,109 public policy documents, focusing mainly on breastfeeding. His studies supported the National Policy for Comprehensive Child Health Care in Brazil and supported the WHO (World Health Organization) report on child development, which, in turn, impacted almost two hundred other documents in 21 countries.

Right after Victora, Carlos Monteiro (USP) appears, a world reference in food and nutrition, creator of the NOVA classification and influential in labeling policies and combating ultra-processed foods; Aluísio Barros (Ufpel), epidemiologist who contributed to maternal and child health policies and evaluation of social programs; Paulo Saldiva (USP), pathologist and leading researcher in air pollution and urban health; and Pedro Hallal (Ufpel), an epidemiologist recognized for leading national surveys on the prevalence of Covid-19 and for his work on policies to promote physical activity.

Together, these scientists illustrate the capacity of Brazilian research to dialogue with global challenges — from nutrition to urbanization — and to generate evidence that shapes public decisions within and outside the country. “Understanding which scientists influence policy — and who is missing from the conversation — is essential to strengthening evidence-based decision-making,” says Euan Adie, founder and director of Overton.

The data also highlights inequalities. There is a low presence of women among researchers in Brazil who most influence public policies: of the 107 people mapped, only 22 are women (20.5%).

Some names illustrate the relevance of this presence: Ester Sabino (USP), with a strong presence in the study of emerging viruses and a fundamental role during the covid-19 pandemic. There are also women highlighted in the specific analysis of documents related to SDG 13 (Action against global climate change). The report identified the 50 most cited Brazilian researchers in this agenda, with a total of more than 7,600 mentions.