The making of Brazilian Eugenics: Criminality, Race and Gender in Brazil (1890-1945)

This research explores the development of Brazilian eugenics from 1890 to 1945, with a focus on how criminality, race, and gender were constructed and controlled by state mechanisms. Building on previous studies that examined the intertwining of law, medicine, and social control, my research delved into various archival sources, including prison records, police manuals, and judicial documents, to uncover how marginalized communities were surveilled and regulated. During my time in Brazil, funded by the CLACS Tinker Field Research Grant, I examined the archives of the Santa Catarina Prison and discovered additional sources, such as Vida Policial and rare books in the National Archives. These activities allowed me to gain a comprehensive understanding of the period's social dynamics and the state's role in shaping public perceptions of race and criminality. The project highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary approaches and the need for careful navigation of fragmented historical records. The findings from this research provide valuable insights into the eugenics movement in Brazil and offer a foundation for my studies in the PhD program. I am also hoping to incorporate some of the findings into a research paper I am writing and to get it published in an academic journal.