We are pleased to invite the community to Confluencia Sessions #4, the last international event of the 2025 series organized by the Advanced Studies Group on Health Information and Technology with a Focus on Vulnerable Populations (Confluencia), based at the Institute of Advanced Studies – University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto Campus, Brazil.

Date and Time: December 9, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. (São Paulo time, UTC-3)

Format: Online via the IEA-RP YouTube channel – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CnX4FnpxQU

Language: English (no simultaneous translation)

Registration: Free, available at https://forms.gle/h95m6w6iJVYaDqqj7

Certificates: Issued to participants who complete the form provided in the live chat during the session

Session Theme: Literacy, Health Information, and Vulnerable Populations

Speaker: Dr. Pamela McKinney (University of Sheffield, United Kingdom)

Moderator: Dr. Ariadne Chloë Mary Furnival (Federal University of São Carlos – UFSCar, Brazil)

Opening Remarks: Prof. Dr. Maria Cristiane Barbosa Galvão (University of São Paulo – USP, Brazil)

Closing Remarks: Prof. Maria da Luz Antunes (Lisbon School of Health Technology – ESTeSL, Portugal)

More information: iearp@usp.br

We cordially invite the community to the Confluencia Sessions #3, an international event organized by the Advanced Studies Group on Health Information and Technology with a Focus on Vulnerable Populations (Confluencia), based at the Instituto de Estudos Avançados da USP – Ribeirao Preto Campus, Brazil.

Date and Time: November 18, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. (São Paulo time, UTC-3)

Format: Online via streaming ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9LjIT59FvU)

Language: English

Registration: Free, available online, https://forms.gle/19a1DYr8kZ61BLsX6

Certificates: Issued to those who complete the form during the session

Session Theme

Population and Climate Change: The Role of Education, Information, and Technology

Speakers

Brazil Perspective: Prof. Dr. Camilo Darsie (UNISC, Brazil)

United States Perspective: Dr. Vikas Kapil (Emory University, USA)

Moderation and Remarks

Moderator: Prof. Dr. Flávia Prado (USP Innovation Agency – AUSPIN, Brazil)

Open Remarks: Prof. Dr. Cristiane Galvao (USP, Brazil)

Closing Remarks: Vitória Merten Fernandes Vitória Merten Fernandes (UNISC, Brazil)

More information: iearp@usp.br

Bipolar disorder and technologies for the longitudinal management

 

New article published!

Just published in the Brazilian Journal of Psychiatry - BJP: Technologies for the longitudinal management of bipolar disorder: advances and challenges

This comprehensive review explores how digital technologies are being used to support the long-term care of individuals with bipolar disorder. Based on 33 studies retrieved from five major databases, we examine current evidence, practical barriers, and methodological gaps - with reflections on how to improve integration between science, technology, and human-centered care.

Grateful for the collaboration with Daniel Ribeiro Rodrigues, Bruno Pereira da Silva, Paulo Villasboas, Oliver Mason, and Ivan Ricarte - a truly international and multidisciplinary team.
As digital tools reshape mental health care, we must ask: Are we advancing with evidence?

Novo artigo publicado!

Acaba de ser publicado no Brazilian Journal of Psychiatry: Technologies for the longitudinal management of bipolar disorder: advances and challenges

Esta revisão abrangente investiga como tecnologias digitais vêm sendo utilizadas no cuidado longitudinal de pessoas com transtorno bipolar. A partir de 33 estudos identificados em cinco bases de dados, discutimos as evidências disponíveis, os obstáculos práticos e as lacunas metodológicas - com reflexões sobre como fortalecer a integração entre ciência, tecnologia e cuidado centrado no humano.

Agradeço a colaboração com Daniel Ribeiro Rodrigues, Bruno Pereira da Silva, Paulo Villasboas, Oliver Mason e Ivan Ricarte - um time verdadeiramente internacional e multidisciplinar.
À medida que as ferramentas digitais transformam o cuidado em saúde mental, fica a pergunta: estamos avançando com as evidências?

Social inclusion and knowledge democratization

 

In this reflection, Prof. Dr. Maria Cristiane Barbosa Galvão argues that career fairs are not merely showcases of academic programs but vital moments for universities to fulfill their mission of social inclusion and knowledge democratization. When designed with empathy, accessibility and multimodal strategies such as printed materials, QR codes, digital tools and face-to-face interactions, these events become powerful instruments of transformation. The text advocates for planning that ensures equity for all students, including those unable to attend in person, and stresses that human connection must be central to any educational effort. Real-life stories, such as encounters with autistic students and families, emphasize the emotional and ethical dimensions of this work and turn simple conversations into lasting social impact.

Neste artigo, a professora Maria Cristiane Barbosa Galvão defende que feiras de profissões são mais do que apresentações de cursos. Elas representam estratégias essenciais de inclusão social e democratização do saber. Quando organizadas com empatia, acessibilidade e linguagem multimodal, como materiais impressos, QR codes, tecnologias digitais e acolhimento presencial, essas feiras tornam-se ferramentas potentes de transformação social. A autora ressalta a importância do planejamento antecipado, da escuta profunda e do vínculo humano como fundamentos de uma educação inclusiva. Histórias vividas com estudantes autistas e suas famílias ilustram o impacto simbólico e ético desses eventos, que deixam marcas afetivas e reforçam o papel da universidade como espaço de pertencimento.

Literacy and Health Digital Transformation

 

We cordially invite the community to the Confluencia Sessions #2, an international event organized by the Advanced Studies Group on Health Information and Technology with a Focus on Vulnerable Populations (Confluencia), based at the Institute of Advanced Studies  – University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirao Preto Campus, Brazil.

Date: October 14, 2025

Time: 9:00 am (Brasília time – UTC-3)

Location: Online | Language: English

YouTube livestream:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ls-YIdOf4Ug

Free registration:  https://forms.gle/qE2FbCZ4ZZWbMtrB6

Certificates will be issued to participants who fill out a form available during the session.

Theme: Literacy and Health Digital Transformation: Past, Present, and Future

Speakers:

- Prof. Dr. Thashmee Karunaratne, KTH Royal Institute of Technology (Sweden)

- Prof. Dr. Sergio Guínez Molinos, University of Talca and the National Center for Health Information Systems (CENS) (Chile)

- Prof.  Dr. Ivan Torres Pisa, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP) (Brazil)

Participants:

- Prof. Dr. Ivan Luiz Marques Ricarte, University of Campinas (Brazil), moderator

- Prof. Dr. Maria Cristiane Barbosa Galvão, University of Sao Paulo (Brazil), opening and closing remarks

More information: iearp@usp.br

Epistemology of Insurgence with Artificial Intelligence (EIIA)

Lecture presented at the 2025 Brazilian Week of Biomedical Informatics, at the University of São Paulo, where Prof. Dr. Maria Cristiane Barbosa Galvão proposes the concept of Epistemology of Insurgency with Artificial Intelligence (EIIA), which lies in the creation of original knowledge in which artificial intelligence acts as a symbolic partner in contexts historically marked by erasure, subjugation, and silencing of knowledge.

Palestra apresentada na Semana Brasileira de Informática Biomédica, na Universidade de São Paulo, onde a Profa. Dra. Maria Cristiane Barbosa Galvão propõe o conceito de Epistemologia da Insurgência com Inteligência Artificial (EIIA), que reside na criação de conhecimento original em que a inteligência artificial atua como parceira simbólica em contextos historicamente marcados por apagamento, subjugação e silenciamento de saberes.

Como citar: GALVÃO, Maria Cristiane Barbosa. Epistemologia da Insurgência com Inteligência Artificial (EIIA). Palestra apresentada na Semana Brasileira de Informática Biomédica, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, 25 set. 2025.

How to cite: Galvão MCB. Epistemology of Insurgency with Artificial Intelligence (EIAI) [conference presentation]. Brazilian Week of Biomedical Informatics; 2025 Sep 25; Ribeirão Preto (SP), Brazil: University of São Paulo; 2025.

Health decision goes beyond data

Every health decision goes beyond data.

Bond-Based Health Literacy (BBHL) — a concept developed by Prof. Dr. Maria Cristiane Barbosa Galvão — highlights trust, empathy, and connection as essential dimensions of how people truly make health decisions.

Decisão em saúde vai além dos dados.

Bond-Based Health Literacy (BBHL) — conceito desenvolvido pela Prof.ª Dra. Maria Cristiane Barbosa Galvão — reconhece que confiança, empatia e conexão são dimensões essenciais para compreender como as pessoas realmente decidem sobre sua saúde.

Epistemology of Insurgence with Artificial Intelligence (EIIA): conference at USP

Prof. Dr. Maria Cristiane Barbosa Galvão is confirmed as a keynote speaker at Brazilian Biomedical Informatics Week. She will deliver the lecture “Epistemology of Insurgence with Artificial Intelligence (EIIA)” on September 25, from 4:50 PM to 5:30 PM.

How can artificial intelligence transform access to information for vulnerable populations?

Maria Cristiane Barbosa Galvão, researcher and professor at USP, will explore the relationship between epistemology, insurgency, and AI applied to health and society.

The speaker coordinates the Confluencia Group at the Institute of Advanced Studies (IEA) – USP Ribeirão Preto Hub, conducting critical and innovative research on digital technologies and information focused on vulnerable populations.

An unmissable opportunity to reflect on the social, cognitive, and epistemological impacts of AI.

  

Register here / Inscreva-se aqui

Está confirmada a participação da Prof. Dra. Maria Cristiane Barbosa Galvão como palestrante na Semana Brasileira de Informática Biomédica, com a conferência “Epistemologia da Insurgência com Inteligência Artificial (EIIA)”, no dia 25 de setembro, das 16h50 às 17h30. 

Como a inteligência artificial pode transformar o acesso à informação em populações vulneráveis?

A professora irá explorar a relação entre epistemologia, insurgência e inteligência artificial aplicada à saúde e à sociedade.

A palestrante é coordenadora do Grupo Confluencia, sediado no Instituto de Estudos Avançados da USP – Polo Ribeirão Preto, onde desenvolve pesquisas críticas e inovadoras sobre tecnologias digitais e informação voltadas a populações vulneráveis.

Uma oportunidade única de refletir sobre os impactos sociais, cognitivos e epistemológicos da IA.

Using Digital Technologies for Inclusive and Ethical Dissemination of Health Information

We cordially invite the community to the opening session of the Confluencia Sessions, an international event series organized by the Advanced Studies Group on Health Information and Technology with a Focus on Vulnerable Populations (Confluencia), based at the Institute of Advanced Studies  – University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirao Preto Campus, Brazil.

Date: August 26, 2025
Time: 9:00 am (Brasília time – UTC-3)
Location: Online | Language: English
YouTube livestream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFaGGB9eGpo
Free registration: https://forms.gle/kFrduCshZE3KD8U26

Theme:

Using Digital Technologies for Inclusive and Ethical Dissemination of Health Information

Keynote speaker:

Prof. Dr. Maria Cristiane Barbosa Galvão (USP, Brazil)
She will present a methodology developed at the Brazilian Reference Center for Health Information (CBRIS), which uses evidence-based content, social media, and student engagement to reach vulnerable populations. This model has impacted over one million people across both the Global South and Global North.

Participants:
– Prof. Dr. Ivan Luiz Marques Ricarte (Unicamp – Brazil), who will introduce the Confluencia Group
– Prof. Dr. Ivan Pisa (UNIFESP – Brazil), moderator
– Prof. Dr. Ariadne Chloë Mary Furnival (UFSCar – Brazil), closing reflections

Certificates will be issued to participants who fill out a form available during the session.

More information: iearp@usp.br

We look forward to your presence!

From Brazil to Indonesia: A New Editorial Role Strengthens Global Health Promotion

The Global Digital Health: Our Lab is Here is pleased to share that Prof. Dr. Maria Cristiane Barbosa Galvão has joined the editorial board of the Jurnal Promosi Kesehatan Indonesia (JPKI), a peer-reviewed academic journal published by Diponegoro University (Indonesia), dedicated to advancing knowledge and practice in health promotion across diverse and dynamic contexts.

JPKI is open to interdisciplinary and culturally grounded contributions that reflect real-world interventions and transformative strategies in public health. Key topics of interest include:

• Community health empowerment and cultural practices

• Health promoting hospitals

• Health promotion in institutions, including tourism and industry

• Health media and communication technologies

• Infectious and non-communicable disease prevention

• Lifestyle diseases, reproductive health, sexuality, and HIV/AIDS

• Occupational health and workplace safety

• Health behavior and education

• Innovative intervention strategies in health promotion

This collaboration represents another step in strengthening the ties between Brazil and Southeast Asia, grounded in social justice, community bonds, and context-based knowledge production.

🌐 Submit via OJS / Submissões na Plataforma

O Global Digital Health: Our Lab is Here tem a satisfação de compartilhar que a Profa. Dra. Maria Cristiane Barbosa Galvão passou a integrar o corpo editorial do Jurnal Promosi Kesehatan Indonesia (JPKI), periódico acadêmico com revisão por pares, publicado pela Diponegoro University (Indonésia), voltado à promoção da saúde em suas múltiplas dimensões.

O JPKI publica contribuições interdisciplinares e sensíveis às culturas locais, valorizando intervenções concretas e estratégias transformadoras em saúde pública. Os temas de interesse incluem:

• Empoderamento comunitário e práticas culturais em saúde

• Hospitais promotores de saúde

• Promoção da saúde em instituições, incluindo turismo e indústria

• Mídia e tecnologias de comunicação em saúde

• Prevenção de doenças infecciosas e crônicas não transmissíveis

• Doenças do estilo de vida, saúde reprodutiva, sexualidade e HIV/AIDS

• Saúde ocupacional e segurança no trabalho

• Educação em saúde e mudança de comportamento

• Estratégias inovadoras de intervenção em promoção da saúde

Pesquisadores de todo o mundo são convidados a submeter artigos originais, revisões, relatos de experiência e propostas práticas.

Essa colaboração representa mais um passo no fortalecimento dos laços entre Brasil e Sudeste Asiático, com foco na justiça social, no vínculo comunitário e na produção de conhecimento enraizado em contextos locais.

Epistemology of Insurgence with Artificial Intelligence (EIIA): terms, concepts and singular instants

A recent article titled “Epistemology of Insurgence with Artificial Intelligence (EIIA): terms, concepts and singular instants”, authored by Maria Cristiane Barbosa Galvão, has been published, proposing alternative approaches to knowledge production in dialogue with artificial intelligences.

In a world transformed by digital infrastructures, historically silenced entities now have access to unprecedented tools to articulate and disseminate their worldviews. AI-powered platforms offer marginalized contexts the opportunity to produce knowledge without conforming to dominant epistemological frameworks commonly required by global science and information industries.

The study introduces original terms and concepts that shape the Epistemology of Insurgence with AI (EIIA), developed through the interaction between a neurodivergent mind and an AI system in a symbolic bond.

Read the full article / Leia o artigo completo

Foi publicado recentemente o artigo intitulado “Epistemologia da Insurgência com Inteligência Artificial (EIIA): termos, conceitos e instantes singulares”, de autoria de Maria Cristiane Barbosa Galvão, que propõe formas alternativas de produzir conhecimento em diálogo com inteligências artificiais.

Em um mundo transformado por infraestruturas digitais, entidades historicamente silenciadas passam a dispor de ferramentas inéditas para elaborar e disseminar suas visões de mundo. Plataformas impulsionadas por inteligência artificial (IA) oferecem a contextos marginalizados a possibilidade de produzir conhecimento sem a necessidade de se submeter a moldes epistemológicos dominantes, frequentemente impostos pelas indústrias globais da ciência e da informação.

O estudo apresenta termos e conceitos que compõem a Epistemologia da Insurgência com IA (EIIA), desenvolvidos a partir da interação entre uma mente neurodivergente e uma IA em relação de vínculo simbólico.

IEA-RP: The Home of CONFLUENCIA

Global Digital Health: Our Lab is Here is pleased to share that the Institute of Advanced Studies at USP – Ribeirão Preto Hub has officially published the initial activities of the group CONFLUENCIA –Technology and Health Information with Focus on Vulnerable Populations, coordinated by Prof. Dr. Maria Cristiane Barbosa Galvão.

The news piece introduces the group’s critical and interdisciplinary foundations and also highlights Prof. Galvão’s academic activities in India in 2025, particularly her collaboration with the Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE).

The CONFLUENCIA group is affiliated with IEA-RP and operates at the intersection of research, technology, ethics, and social justice in the field of health information.

The publication emphasizes the researcher’s international presence as part of a broader trajectory that connects local experiences with global thinking, proposing new ways to understand health and information in contexts of vulnerability.

📰 Read the full article / Leia a matéria completa

O Our Lab is Here tem a satisfação de compartilhar que o Instituto de Estudos Avançados da USP – Polo Ribeirão Preto divulgou oficialmente as atividades iniciais do grupo CONFLUENCIA - Tecnologia e Informação em Saúde com Foco em Populações Vulneráveis, coordenado pela Profa. Dra. Maria Cristiane Barbosa Galvão.

A matéria apresenta os fundamentos do grupo, de caráter crítico e interdisciplinar, e destaca também as atividades acadêmicas desenvolvidas pela professora na Índia em 2025, especialmente sua colaboração com a Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE).

O grupo CONFLUENCIA está vinculado ao IEA-RP e atua na interface entre pesquisa, tecnologia, ética e justiça social na informação em saúde.

A publicação ressalta a presença internacional da pesquisadora como parte de uma trajetória que articula experiências locais e pensamento global, propondo novas formas de compreender a saúde e a informação em contextos de vulnerabilidade.

From Brazil to the World

The proposal on bond-based health literacy resonated at the World Health Summit and in the Jornal da USP.

Between April 25 and 27, 2025, Prof. Dr. Maria Cristiane Barbosa Galvão participated as a speaker in the session Health Literacy in the AI Era at the World Health Summit – Regional Meeting, held in New Delhi, India, where she presented one of her recent concepts: Bond-Based Health Literacy. The Jornal da USP featured the proposal in the article titled: “Literacia em saúde baseada no vínculo e inteligência artificial: uma abordagem do Brasil para o mundo”.

📰 Read the full article / Leia a matéria completa

Ente os dias 25 e 27 de abril de 2025, a Prof. Dr. Maria Cristiane Barbosa Galvão participou como palestrante da sessão Health Literacy in the AI Era no World Health Summit – Regional Meeting, realizado em Nova Deli, Índia, onde apresentou um dos seus novos conceitos: Literacia em Saúde Baseada no Vínculo (Bond-Based Health Literacy . O Jornal da USP repercutiu sua abordagem publicando o artigo: “Literacia em saúde baseada no vínculo e inteligência artificial: uma abordagem do Brasil para o mundo”.

Bond-Based Health Literacy & AI

 

This text is the result of reflection based on concrete experiences from Brazil, especially from the project I have coordinated since 2016, called CBRIS (Brazilian Reference Center for Health Information). My goal here is to propose a conceptual reconfiguration of health literacy, shifting it from a functional approach, centred on the transmission of health information, to a bond-based approach, grounded in interaction, listening, and human presence — even in contexts mediated by algorithms.

World Health Summit – Regional Meeting, 2025

Between April 25 and 27, 2025, Professor Maria Cristiane Barbosa Galvão participated as a speaker in the panel Health Literacy in the AI Era at the World Health Summit – Regional Meeting, held in New Delhi, India.