CCHLA researchers compete for the national Intercom award

The recently graduated student from the Department of Social Communication (Decom), Leandro Lima Ribeiro, and the professor from the Department of Letters (Delet), Clebson Luiz de Brito, are competing for the 2021 Vera Giangrande National Prize from the Brazilian Society of Interdisciplinary Communication Studies (Intercom). The research was financed by the Dean of Research, through the UFRN Congress of Scientific and Technological Initiation Award (CICT). The study analyzed, between 2017 and 2019, speeches contrary to Human Rights in comments on information portals and social networks.
Initially presented at the National Congress of Communication Sciences, held by the Federal University of Bahia (UFBA), virtually, the analysis was classified among the various works presented in the eight categories of Intercom Júnior, which brings together the productions of undergraduate students and recent graduates from all over Brazil. In the third phase of evaluation, the finalist work, which represents UFRN, will compete with productions from the Federal University of Maranhão (UFMA) and the State University of Bahia (Uneb).
The study was guided by Professor Clebson Luiz de Brito, from Delet/UFRN, who investigates the configuration of discourses contrary to Human Rights in virtual environments. In the proposal in question, we sought to understand how the violation of Human Rights was supported by internet users in the light of French semiotics and studies of argumentation when related to sexual diversity. “The project seeks to clarify the contours of a dehumanizing rhetoric used in different texts that express rejection of Human Rights, highlighted Professor Clebson.
Leandro, currently studying for a master's degree in Semiotics and Linguistics at USP, highlights the importance that Scientific Initiation had not only on his intellectual training, but also on his autonomy and critical vision. “I hope that, even with the current cuts in research and innovation, other students can have the opportunity to carry out their research and, in addition, have an incentive to participate in events in the area. In this sense, UFRN played an essential role”, he said.
The awards for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places will take place during the 44th Brazilian Congress of Communication Sciences, to be held by the Catholic University of Pernambuco, remotely, between October 4th and 9th.