Deactivation of brazilian stricto sensu postgraduate courses in information science: an initial discussion

Introduction: The importance of Postgraduate courses for the development of a society is unquestionable, although many challenges make it difficult for programs that offer this level of education to survive. Objective: The aim of this study is to characterize the Brazilian Postgraduate programs in the area of Information Science that have been deactivated. Methodology: In terms of nature, it is characterized as basic research and, in terms of objectives, it is descriptive and quantitative research, applying the procedures of documentary research, through consultation of the Coordination's Catalog of Theses and Dissertations for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel. The period from 2004 to 2021 was considered, and the procedures adopted identified the programs, characterized those that were deactivated and mapped the themes of their research. Results: The results revealed the existence of three deactivated programs, one of which was professional and had only been in existence for a short time, although it contributed to increasing the production share of the studies defended in them whose themes addressed information as an object of study, representing, thus, the field of Information Science. Conclusion: The analysis of deactivated programs highlighted the strengthening of the area, reinforced the role played by professional programs and indicated possible challenges, such as the attempt to meet the evaluation criteria in relation to socioeconomic inequalities in the Brazilian territory.