Multiplying sciences: Ethnographic studies about scientific work in physical education

Abstract

Since the 2000s, the research community and scientific apparatuses engaged with Physical Education (PE) have widened and intensified. Such process has happened and still happens amid several tensions that began to be discussed in studies and debates. Driven by these facts and questionings, this research looks into how science is done in Brazilian PE. An ethnographic study has been conducted within two PE research groups, where we followed humans and non-humans, associations and controversies. After following the everyday work of these groups, we found that there are multiple PE sciences. In view of these findings, the main conclusion and provocation of this study is that, to question PE science – in singular form – it is crucial to ask about the types of relations that have been established and still remain among PE sciences – in plural – and their consequences.