Latin American Centre (LAC)

Description

The Latin American Centre (LAC) was established in 1964 to promote the study of Latin America in the United Kingdom. It is now part of the Oxford School of Global and Area Studies (OSGA). The LAC offers a one-year MSc in Latin American Studies, a two-year MPhil in Latin American Studies, and a DPhil in Area Studies (Latin America) through OSGA. These programs bring together over 20 graduate students focusing on the region.

The LAC's master's programs focus on the modern history, politics, economics, international relations, and sociology of Latin America. It also serves as a hub for studying Latin America across various disciplines at Oxford, including anthropology, geography, music, and literature. Visiting academics and doctoral students from the United Kingdom and abroad contribute to the vibrant scholarly community, exploring a wide range of topics of central concern for the region. The LAC's academic staff conducts research in areas such as transitional justice, coalitional presidentialism, the political influence of remittances, the political economy of inequality, the history of the police, urban development, and the history of democracy.

As a centre for regional study, the LAC provides a platform for debating ongoing research and relevant current affairs. Leading international scholars and prominent figures from the region regularly contribute to the LAC's flagship weekly seminar. The LAC also organises a Brazilian Studies program, which hosts an annual conference on Brazil and welcomes academic visitors from Brazil, including a Rio Branco Professor. Additionally, a History seminar takes place once a week, often featuring joint events with other universities in Europe and the Americas. The LAC also hosts a DPhil seminar that brings together doctoral students from various disciplines in the social sciences and humanities who are studying topics related to Latin America.

The LAC is located at 1 Church Walk within St Antony's College, with which it has close ties. However, students and some academic staff members are also affiliated with other Oxford colleges. The Bodleian Latin American Library, situated on the ground floor and basement of the building, is an integral part of the LAC. It houses a specialist lending collection of 16,000 volumes, along with journals, microfilms, and DVDs, supporting the study of Latin American social sciences.

Offers funding

Yes, this infrastructure provides funding in the following categories:

Founding year

1964

Contact details

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University affiliation(s)

University of Oxford
Oxford