Provoking context, interiorization of universities and institutional agendas: Border Studies tendencies in Brazil

Abstract

This paper draws on qualitative and quantitative methods for analyzing research and researchers dealing with recent Border Studies (since 1990) in Brazil. The information has been collected while building the database "Unbral Fronteiras – open access Portal of the Brazilian universities on borders and limits". In the process, borders scholars were listed and invited to answer a questionnaire. The list and the answers helped to draw a map of the spatial distribution of the experts and of their studies (linked mainly to the South and Central Arches) and to identify the main topics (integration; cross-border culture; infrastructure and their limits; fronts) and emerging themes (non-State and non-administrative borders). We conclude there is no methodology nor a consensual theory. We believe that this is a growing field of research and that its center is clearly understood: the international border. Concepts (border, limit, twin cities) and regionalization (border strip, the three arches, dyads) are shared. We conclude that, in Brazil, Border Studies mirror the marginal context of its researchers. In addition, we found correlations between research themes and public policies oriented towards the borders. Finally, we conclude that the scholars dedicated to borders tend to be politically engaged with its object, which is expressed in situated research.