Desafios, compromissos e representatividades do Patrimônio Cultural de Ciência e Tecnologia da Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto

Abstract

This research analyzes the Cultural Heritage of Science and Technology (CHST) from an academic and social context that highlights its values and meanings, aiming to contribute to the reflective movement for the development of a management policy. It is a qualitative study that used documentary and bibliographic studies, on-site observation (field diary), and semi-structured interviews with curators responsible for the Mineralogy Collection of the Science and Technology Museum of the School of Mines and the Human Anatomical Teaching Collection of the Pharmacy Museum, both under the care of the Federal University of Ouro Preto. For the processes of data production, organization, and analysis, an instrument called the Analysis Matrix was proposed, consisting of four structuring dimensions: i) Institutionalization, ii) Resources and Budgets, iii) Preventive Conservation, and iv) Academic and Social. This instrument was used both to structure the interviews and to organize, categorize, and analyze the data produced. The corpus of analysis is composed of syntheses of the aforementioned data, identified and classified based on "value" and "meaning" parameters, in order to highlight the "challenges," "commitments," and "representativeness" of each collection. As a result, challenges were identified in the Institutionalization dimension regarding legal adjustments to ensure the maintenance and development of the collections, in addition to the representativeness granted by the historical importance of these collections for the scientific and educational development of the country. In the Resources and Budgets dimension, challenges and commitments were identified, emphasizing the urgency of continuous investment policies to maintain specialized teams and ensure the processes of maintenance and technical and scientific development of the collections. Data from the Preventive Conservation dimension revealed challenges such as the lack of adequate technical parameters for preservation, security, and accessibility. Finally, the analysis of the Academic and Social dimension reinforces the importance of an institutional policy that integrates the collections into academic development and social memory, highlighting the need for investments and adaptation to new technologies based on these parameters. After the analytical movement, it is concluded that the proposed Analysis Matrix proved to be a critical evaluation tool, based on the experiences of professionals who, directly or indirectly, advocate for coherence in the recognition and appreciation of the university’s PCC&T. It is understood that the adoption of systematic guidelines can optimize PCC&T management policies, strengthening the defense of Cultural Heritage in its various categories and promoting its preservation and appreciation in the context of a socially referenced university.