Politicized social science as a catalyst for a new, priority-based Latin American agenda

Abstract

This paper proposes and discusses two categories for the social sciences in Latin America: politicized social science and knowledge mobilization. These two categories provide a frame for conceptualizing the renewed emphasis on priority-based scientific and university policies. Based on preliminary fieldwork conducted in eight Latin American countries, we assess current policies and provide insights into the role and potential of the social sciences in Latin America, both in shaping the new profiles of researchers and in promoting innovative forms of knowledge construction.