Award-winning study will also be published as a book soon.

Researcher Aline Elisa Maretto Lang, a graduate of the Graduate Program in Social Policy (PPGPS) at the Federal University of Espírito Santo (Ufes) and a former fellow of the Espírito Santo Research and Innovation Support Foundation (Fapes) through the Procap call, had her doctoral thesis titled “The Silence of Stones Has No Height: Early Childhood in UNICEF Discourse” evaluated as the best in the world by the Research Committee of the International Association of Schools of Social Work, one of the leading academic organizations in the field.

With this recognition, Aline will receive the PhD-based Abstract Award during the organization’s World Congress, which will take place in Kenya in June 2026. The award brings international recognition to research developed in Espírito Santo with the support of state public funding. The thesis critically analyzes how early childhood came to occupy a central place in international agendas and how the discourse of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) differentiates public policy guidelines according to countries’ levels of economic development.

The research showed that, particularly from the 1990s onward, childhood began to be presented in international documents as a “window of opportunity” to break cycles of poverty and promote economic development. However, the study highlights that this discourse takes on different meanings: while in countries considered developed the perspective of rights prevails, in nations classified as developing there is a stronger emphasis on poverty reduction and the preparation of future labor forces.

“This award represents not only an individual achievement, but also recognition of the relevance of research produced in Brazil, especially studies that critically analyze social policies and the discourses that guide the protection of early childhood,” Aline stated.

According to the researcher, understanding these differences is essential for the development of more just and context-sensitive public policies. “When childhood is treated primarily as an investment in the future, there is a risk that policies will be guided mainly by economic efficiency criteria, leaving the guarantee of rights and broad social protection in the background. We cannot apply international guidelines automatically without considering social, economic, and regional realities,” she emphasized.

The award expands the international visibility of scientific production from Espírito Santo and opens opportunities for dialogue with researchers from different countries. For Aline, participating in the World Congress will be an opportunity to present the research results, strengthen academic networks, and bring the name of Espírito Santo into the global debate on social policies and childhood.

Public Funding as the Foundation of the Achievement

The researcher highlighted that the scholarship granted by Fapes was decisive for completing her doctoral studies and, consequently, for achieving international recognition.

“The scholarship was fundamental in allowing me to dedicate myself fully to the research. As a woman, a mother of two young children, and a researcher, this support ensured the minimum conditions necessary to carry out the study with quality. It was a decisive factor in enabling the thesis to reach this level of recognition,” she said.

She also emphasized the importance of public funding for fields such as Social Work, where scientific production is predominantly carried out by women.

“Public funding creates real conditions for permanence and stability so that researchers can develop, complete, and disseminate their studies. It democratizes knowledge production and ensures that critical analyses of inequality, poverty, and social rights are not limited to those who have their own financial resources,” Aline Elisa Maretto Lang added.

Research to Be Published as a Book

The impact of the work is also reflected in the publication of the thesis in book format. According to Aline Elisa Maretto Lang, the work will be published by Navegando Publishing House in both digital (open-access) and printed versions, further expanding the reach of the reflections developed during her doctoral research.

“During the thesis defense, when the committee began commenting on the work, I had my first great and gratifying surprise when they said that my thesis had the quality required to be published as a book. I received the news with great joy, but also with surprise, because I did not realize the magnitude of what I had accomplished,” she explained.

“The initial forecast is that the book will be officially launched in Espírito Santo in August, during the National and International Meeting on Social Policy (ENPS/EIPS), organized by the graduate program to which I belong,” the researcher added.

Second Consecutive Recognition

In 2024, during a conference held in Panama, the Graduate Program in Social Policy (PPGPS) at Ufes also topped the award rankings with the abstract titled “Reproductive Rights and Female Sterilization in Brazil,” developed by researcher Leila Marchezi Tavares Menandro.

The common link between the two consecutive awards is coordinator Maria Lúcia Teixeira Garcia, who highlighted the collective work carried out by the PPGPS and the support provided by Fapes.

“It is the result of collective work by faculty members, students, administrative staff, and alumni to offer postgraduate education of excellence, with an international perspective while remaining committed to local issues. International awards confirm that we are on the right path, but this recognition also brings new challenges,” the coordinator stated.

“The support provided by Fapes is essential to the excellence achieved by the PPGPS, as illustrated in Aline’s case. The Fapes scholarship ensured the completion of her studies. In addition, through other calls, Fapes created opportunities for internationalization activities. Therefore, the award received by Aline belongs to the PPGPS and also to Fapes,” Maria Lúcia Teixeira Garcia emphasized.

For Fapes Technical-Scientific Director Celso Saibel, the international recognition of former fellows reinforces the Foundation’s strategic role.

“We work to strengthen graduate education, train highly qualified human resources, and promote the internationalization of science produced in Espírito Santo,” he concluded.

Press Information:
Fapes Communications Office
Samantha Nepomuceno | Igor Gonçalves
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comunicacao@fapes.es.gov.br