Harvard University- David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies (DRCLAS)

✨Introducing our 2024-25 cohort of Visiting Scholars and Fellows Meet Rebecca Hanson, 2024-25 Peggy Rockefeller Visiting Scholar    Rebecca Hanson of the University of Florida offers a critical analysis of policing, politics, and violence in Latin America. Her forthcoming book on Venezuela under Chavismo promises to provide groundbreaking insights into the transformation of security and violence in politically turbulent environments.    Rebecca will work on a project titled: Conceptualizing Criminal Governance in Authoritarian Contexts. 

The History of Science Society (HSS) is celebrating its 100th anniversary with a historic first meeting in Latin America, featuring Harvard University Professor Gabriela Soto Laveaga, the first Latina to deliver the Distinguished Lecture. Her talk will explore the exchange of scientific knowledge between Mexico and other regions, highlighting her influential work on science and culture in Latin America. https://lnkd.in/eVhKTTpX

Ana Machado Spósito Galdino, a Brazilian undergraduate in Medical Sciences and ambassador for Doctors on the Streets in Brazil—a network of projects dedicated to alleviating social challenges faced by marginalized communities. Inspired by her experience in Harvard Medical School's Global Health from a Biosocial Perspective course, Ana has developed a deep commitment to Medical Anthropology, Public Health, and research. In this ReVista Student Views article, she reminds us all of the importance of recognizing hidden realities and building a more inclusive and compassionate health system that serves those most in need. https://lnkd.in/en5G5_2p

✨Introducing our 2024-25 cohort of Visiting Scholars and Fellows Meet Laurent Loinard, 2024-2025 Robert F. Kennedy Visiting Professor of Latin American Studies    Laurent Loinard from the National Autonomous University of Mexico is a distinguished astronomer focused on the formation of stellar systems and the interstellar medium. As a member of the Event Horizon Telescope consortium, his work has been pivotal in producing the first images of black holes, significantly advancing our understanding of the universe.    Laurent will work on a project titled: The next-generation Event Horizon Telescope - Introducing technicolor black hole cinema. 

During Harvard University’s Worldwide Week, DRCLAS brought the spirit of Latin America right to campus, offering students a chance to explore opportunities in the region. Our Directors from our Brazil, Mexico, and Chile offices engaged with students at the first-ever Global Offices Information Table event, sharing exciting research and internship programs available across Latin America. “The information table was a novel and noteworthy initiative,” said Marcela Renteria, Executive Director of the DRCLAS Chile Office. “It facilitated meaningful interactions with students, staff, and faculty, and sparked dynamic conversations [about international opportunities.]” From research to career-boosting internships, DRCLAS opportunities promise transformative experiences. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eGgRrPnw Helena Monteiro Marcela Renteria Julián Cancino Tim Linden

In a new op-ed for The New York Times, our Faculty Director Steven Levitsky and co-author Daniel Ziblatt explore the upcoming election and the strategies we’ve missed to safeguard democracy. They propose a fifth, critical approach—drawing from recent events in Brazil — that may be our last chance to prevent an anti-democratic leader from taking office in the US.   Read the full piece here: https://lnkd.in/eNzcHeJV

A birder’s biggest enemy in the rainforest? Complacency. Nicholas Kowalske (Harvard College '25) knows it well after spotting 121 bird species during the DRCLAS Amazon Rainforest Immersion. Some highlights? A toco toucan, red-billed pied tanager, and the rare dusky purpletuft—a bird not seen in the area since 1987! From treetop toucans to hidden gems, Nick reminds us that even the “common” birds deserve excitement. Stay curious, always. Discover more about his 10-day Amazon adventure here: https://lnkd.in/gYQp2xxd

Deadline Approaching – October 25th! 🚨 The Harvard-UAI Collaborative Research Grant is an exciting opportunity to build lasting partnerships between Harvard University and Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez. With up to $30,000 in funding, this grant supports innovative research across disciplines.

In Student Views, Kieran Kelly, a Harvard senior in Mather House concentrating in Government, writes about his experience in Colombia: “I went to Bogotá, Colombia, this summer with a DRCLAS research grant, intending to figure out how the Court has been able to maintain its independence. I concentrated on doing what we in political science call ‘elite actors interviews’—talking to the movers and the shakers.” https://lnkd.in/eS2zhjJx

Seeing stars? More like black holes! Laurent Loinard, our 2024-25 RFK Visiting Professor, took us on a cosmic journey during his colloquium, explaining what black holes are, how they form, and how they behave. He also shared his experience as the Mexico lead for the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) consortium—the first to ever capture a photo of a black hole at the center of the Messier 87 galaxy! To top it all off, Laurent gifted DRCLAS with a replica of this iconic image, which, until now, could only be seen at MoMA. Sol Carbonell Shep Doeleman