Research - Adeilson T. Torres

Why Focus on YouTube?

Exploring Scientific Communication Beyond the PDF

My research journey begins with a strong interest in finding alternatives for scientific communication that extend beyond the traditional PDF article format. My background in Social Communication with an emphasis on Editorial Production and also in Photography , combined with professional experience managing the editorial workflow of digital scientific publications at Caboverde Design Digital (a SciELO partner company), fueled my quest for more dynamic, visual, and accessible formats for disseminating academic knowledge.

The Appeal of In-Depth Debates and the Network Society

In parallel, I've always had a particular appreciation for debates – the deeper and more well-founded, the greater my interest. I believe complex discussions enrich understanding. This inclination directly connects to my Master's studies on the "network society" and power relations in communication, seeking to comprehend how ideas are constructed and circulated in digital environments.

The "Intelectuber" Phenomenon: Academics on YouTube (Master's Context)

This combination of interests led me, during my Master's in Media Communication at UNESP (2016-2019), to observe an emerging phenomenon: established academics who also acted as content creators on YouTube. To describe this fusion between the traditional intellectual and the figure of the YouTuber, who employs platform-specific language, I coined the term "Intelectuber."

Master's Case Study: Roda Viva, Pondé, and Convergence

My thesis specifically analyzed the 30th-anniversary special program of "Roda Viva," a classic Brazilian TV show, and its attempt to engage audiences on YouTube. I investigated how the program facilitated encounters between digital influencers and renowned academics, bringing a more erudite perspective to internet phenomena. I even had the opportunity to interview Luiz Felipe Pondé , a philosopher and one of Brazil's most widely followed public intellectuals at the time, who perfectly exemplified the "Intelectuber" with his own YouTube channel.

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YouTube: A Strategic Platform for Depth

These experiences solidified my view of YouTube's strategic potential. As the world's second-largest search engine and a platform historically accommodating longer videos (contrasting with the ephemerality of other networks), YouTube stood out as the ideal space for presenting and debating complex content. My conviction is that profound ideas, especially in scientific communication, require time for argumentative development and visual/narrative didactics, something short formats rarely allow.

Conclusion: YouTube as an Ongoing Research Anchor

For these reasons, and aligned with my current studies in the Ph.D. in Communication Sciences at USP , I have chosen YouTube as my central platform of study. Many of my research interests—ranging from disinformation to new forms of academic audiovisual production—directly or indirectly engage with or investigate phenomena occurring within this fundamental digital environment.

Expanding Frontiers in Digital Communication

Ph.D. at USP, Research Networks, and Impact

Current Research: Ph.D. in Communication Sciences at USP

Currently, I am immersed in the final phase of my Ph.D. journey in Communication Sciences at the University of São Paulo (USP), the largest university in Latin America. This period is characterized by the intense academic production required by the program's model: having completed the mandatory and elective coursework, I am now working on relevant publications and focusing my efforts on writing the dissertation.

Strategic Alignment within PPGCOM-USP

Upon joining the Graduate Program in Communication Sciences (PPGCOM) , I had the valuable opportunity to choose my advisor, Professor Dr. Brasilina Passarelli. I am part of research line 2, "Communicational processes: technologies, production, and consumption", which represents a perfect alignment with my long-standing interests in investigating the connections between communication, digital platforms, and technology. Being in this program and research line places me at the epicenter of the discussions that most motivate me academically.

Collaborations and Research Networks: Escola do Futuro and iSchools

Although not formally an associate researcher, I actively participate in the initiatives of NACE - Center for Support to Culture and University Extension in Creative Economy (Escola do Futuro / School of the Future) at USP. This research center, which includes international collaborators , has been promoting important actions and establishing connections with the global iSchools (Information Schools) consortium. I have been involved in these interactions, actively seeking to expand the possibilities for collaborative research between these institutions and PPGCOM.

Vision and Impact: Expanding Frontiers in Digital Scientific Communication

My experience at USP has been transformative, opening doors to significant collaborations. I am focused on leveraging these opportunities to establish partnerships with the corporate sector and public agencies, aiming to broaden the reach and relevance of my current research. I strongly believe that these initiatives and the studies I am conducting – focused on how Scientific Communication operates and finds new meaning on digital platforms like YouTube – will yield significant contributions to the understanding of these phenomena, not only on the national stage but also with international resonance.