15th Monthly Meeting (June 2021)

Introduction

BRaS academic committee met online on Friday, June 25, 2021, at 2 pm (Berlin time) to discuss general matters of the organization. Anna Bennech conducted the meeting and Matheus Hebling was in charge of the minutes. Doctor Thomas Kestler, Matheus Zago, Matheus Hebling, Eric Nogueira, Luíza Cerioli, Lucas Fraga, and Thais Cavalcante also attended the meeting.

The committee proposed the discussion of the following agenda:

1. Communication and PR Updates
2. Research Department
o BRaS-Blog updates
o Research Groups
o BRaS-J Updates
3. General Issues

Communication and PR Updates

Considering Claudia and Luísa Turbino could not attend the meeting, Anna proposed PR and communication to send a written report given the absence. The committee approved the suggestion.

Research Department

BRaS-Blog Updates

Anna gave updates on BRaS-Blog. Interviews are set until August, and one of the interviewers received a book sample from a Brazilian publisher.
Anna and Giovanna will do a special edition – a guest editor will publish followed by three others. First, it will be democratic backslide, then the regional integration after Bolsonaro’s election, which is set to be in August.
Anna highlighted the need to publish texts around the range of the Blog – from 1000 words up to 1300 words.

Research Groups

Matheus H pointed the need to answer the email on the Research Group addition to the website.
Thomas asked what kind of insertion on the website – only to members or publicly. Matheus H explained that the idea would be to use the website to publicize the Groups, and the forum would be for the group members only. All are in favor to display publicly on the website.
Matheus Z explained how to use Moodle on the website or the forum. Luiza C asked what the pros of using  Moodle would be. Matheus H explained how it would work. All were in favor of using Moodle.

BRaS-J

Matheus Z gave updates on the Journal, including the plan to host a workshop about using the platform and calling for new people to contribute.
Matheus H explained that it has been difficult to get authors to agree to publish in the IR/Foreign Policy/Institutional Politics area.
Thomas pointed that we have enough contributions for the first number of the Journal. Also, we should start open calls and check conferences for individual authors so we have more submissions. He emphasized the need for a general call. Matheus Z also emphasized the need to write a general call.
Matheus H said he changed the text to saying the editorial process is free of charge.

General Issues

Matheus H asked about the blog texts and the amount available. Also, when the texts of the special edition would be available. Anna answered the questions, highlighting the importance of sharing our call [write with us page] with our networks because the Blog does not have a stable/enough flow of submissions.
Luiza C asked how effective the internal newsletter has been to the members and if the Research Groups should support this newsletter to make it more specific and valuable. Matheus H said he thought they should also be on social media so the members could share it broadly. Anna pointed to the fact that this has been discussed before, so we should decide on this. Matheus Z said he had not profited from the newsletter because he has been busy but recognized the value of the information.
Anna made some points clear on the timeline of this discussion, especially clarifying the difference between the internal newsletter, the external newsletter, and the former opportunities section on the website. Matheus H said he is in favor of a public opportunities section on the website and that we are testing things and we could go back.
Anna highlighted that we could test different approaches for the internal newsletter before deciding on the best format. However, we need to be careful regarding products shared with the external audience, with whom we need to be more responsive.