Matheus Gomes Lima competes in the 3MT contest, promoted by UFRJ
PhD candidate Matheus Gomes Lima, researcher at the Research Group on Space and Power, is competing in the 3MT contest, promoted by UFRJ.
Matheus’s thesis, supervised by Full Professor Carlos Brandão (IPPUR/UFRJ), investigates the political-economic project of private cities—contemporary experiences where the state gives way to private management of urban space. Whether through gaps in state constitutions or fully autonomous communities, these urban units are controlled by companies that set the “rules of the game” through contracts between these private entities and their residents. The main objective is to examine what lies behind this field of production. To this end, a qualitative study of the movement is conducted through a situational analysis of the concept, a survey of positions and discourses of actors involved in the production of the field, and mapping the network of private communities and think tanks. Preliminary results reveal an active field, in an intense moment of production and deepening, with wide reach and adaptive power; private community projects exist on all continents, promoted by actors ranging from internet bloggers to the World Bank.
The 3MT is a contest for PhD candidates and recent PhDs, promoted in partnership by the Forum of Science and Culture and the Office of Graduate Studies and Research, both at UFRJ.
The final stage of the contest will be held in person, when the audience can vote for the best thesis.
Date: 10/30/2025
Time: 2:00 PM
Location: Horta Barbosa Auditorium, Block A, Technological Center, University City.
We look forward to seeing you there!
