'Is this your article?': Professor discovered through a message from a friend that research became an issue in Enem

Professor Melise Pessôa Araujo Meireles, from the Federal University of Piauí (UFPI), discovered that a research she developed failed in the National High School Exam (Enem) on Sunday night (8), when a friend sent a message asking: "is this your article?".

The text presented to the candidates was taken from a scientific article about artisanal fishing in the Passarinho community, on the Canary Island, in Maranhão. The material was published in the scientific journal Gaia Scientia, in 2017.

"I found out at night, on the same day that the test was administered, when I received a message from a friend asking if the article mentioned in the test was mine. When I looked at the image of the question, I was very happy and showed it to my husband, who is also the author of the work", she reported.

"The next morning, I sent the news to Professor Roseli, my advisor (once a advisor, always a advisor), to my family, brothers, brothers-in-law and nephews. I posted it on Instagram and so did my family," he added.

Born in Parnaíba, on the coast of Piauí, Melise has been a professor at UFPI since 2015. She currently works on the Degree in Rural Education course, at the Senador Helvídio Nunes de Barros campus, in Picos.

The study is the result of research carried out over two years by Melise, during her master's degree in Development and Environment at UFPI, in Teresina.

The article was written in partnership with professors Victor de Jesus Silva Meireles, Larissa dos Santos Vieira, under the guidance of professor Roseli Farias Melo de Barros.

UFPI professor's research on artisanal fishing is used in Enem 2026 question — Photo: Reproduction

Research values knowledge of artisanal fishermen

The study was carried out in the Passarinho community, on the Canary Island, where artisanal fishing is the main economic activity. The research aimed to describe the techniques used by fishermen and understand the traditional knowledge related to the activity.

"I chose to develop the research in the Passarinho community, on the Canary Island, because it is the second largest community of artisanal fishermen on the island and due to the absence, at that time, of studies on the knowledge and practices of these fishermen. Thus, my experiences in Piauí and the Parnaíba Delta contributed directly to the choice of my research area", he commented.

During fieldwork, researchers identified different fishing instruments, some of them made from plants. Species of fish, crustaceans and molluscs captured in the region were also catalogued.

"The results also showed knowledge transmitted orally between generations and improved in daily practice, which guides the choice of techniques and instruments used to capture different species", added the professor.

For Melise, the presence of research in Enem represents more than academic recognition. The study's participation in the event also helps to give visibility to artisanal fishermen and the traditional knowledge shared by the community.

"Seeing our research reach millions of Brazilian students represents an opportunity to value artisanal fishermen and their traditional knowledge. For us, it is especially meaningful to highlight the Passarinho community, who welcomed us and shared their knowledge with us", he highlighted.

*Yngridy Vieira, intern under the supervision of Ilanna Serena.