Latin American Studies Association
Encyclopedia
The Latin American Studies Association (LASA) is the largest association for scholars of Latin American studies
. Founded in 1966, it has over 6,000 members, forty-five percent of whom reside outside the United States, LASA brings together experts on Latin America from all disciplines and diverse occupational endeavors, across the globe.
Latin American Studies
Latin American studies is an academic discipline dealing with the study of Latin America and Latin Americans.-Definition:Latin American studies critically examines the history, culture, politics, and experiences of Latin Americans in Latin America and often also elsewhere .Latin American studies...
. Founded in 1966, it has over 6,000 members, forty-five percent of whom reside outside the United States, LASA brings together experts on Latin America from all disciplines and diverse occupational endeavors, across the globe.
Mission
LASA's mission is "to foster intellectual discussion, research, and teaching on Latin America, the Caribbean, and its people throughout the Americas, promote the interests of its diverse membership, and encourage civic engagement through network building and public debate."LASA Presidents
- Evelyne Huber (University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill), 2012-2013
- Maria Hermínia Tavares de Almeida (Universidade de São Paulo), 2010-2012
- John Coatsworth (Colombia University), 2009-2010
- Eric Hershberg (American University), 2007-2009
- Charles R. Hale (University of Texas, Austin), 2006-2007
- Sonia E. Alvarez (University of Massachusetts, Amherst), 2004-2006
- Marysa Navarro (Dartmouth College), 2003-2004
- Arturo AriasArturo AriasArturo Arias is a Guatemalan novelist and critic, who is currently a professor of 20th-century Spanish-American Literature at the University of Texas at Austin...
(University of Redlands), 2001-2003 - Thomas Holloway (University of California, Davis), 2000-2001
- Franklin Knight (Johns Hopkins University), 1998-2000
- Susan Eckstein (Boston University), 1997-1998
- Jane Jaquette (Occidental College), 1995-1997
- Cynthia McClintock (George Washington University), 1994-1995
- Carmen Diana Deere (University of Massachusetts, Amherst), 1992-1994
- Lars Schoultz (University of North Carolina), 1991-1992
- Jean FrancoJean FrancoJean Franco is a British-born academic and literary critic known for her pioneering work on Latin American literature. Educated at Manchester and London, she has taught at London, Essex , and Stanford, and is currently professor emerita at Columbia University.-Research:Jean Franco's research is...
(Columbia University), 1989-1991 - Paul Drake (University of California, San Diego), 1988-1989
- Cole Blasier (University of Pittsburgh), 1986-1988
- Wayne Cornelius (University of California, San Diego), 1985-1986
- Helen M. Safa (University of Florida), 1983-1985
- Jorge I. DomínguezJorge I. DominguezJorge I. Dominguez is a Cuban American educator and writer.Dr. Dominguez is presently the Vice Provost for International Affairs, the Antonio Madero Professor of Mexican and Latin American Politics and Economics, Chairman of the Harvard Academy for International and Area Studies, and Senior...
(Harvard University), 1982-1983 - Peter H. SmithPeter H. Smith (Latin America scholar)Peter H. Smith is a scholar on United States and Latin American relations, and the Simon Bolivar Professor of Latin American Studies at University of California in San Diego.He has been president of the Latin American Studies Association...
(University of California, San Diego), 1981-1982 - Carmelo Mesa-Lago (University of Pittsburgh), 1980-1981
- William P. Glade 1979-1980
- Riordan RoettRiordan RoettRiordan Roett, is an American political scientist specializing in Latin America. He received his Ph.D. from Columbia University in Political Science and was a post-doctoral fellow at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology...
1978-1979 - Evelyn P. Stevens 1976-1978
- Richard R. Fagen 1975-1976
- Paul L. Doughty 1974-1975
- Henry A. Landsberger 1973-1974
- Thomas SkidmoreThomas SkidmoreThomas Elliot Skidmore is a noted historian and scholar specialized in Brazilian history.-Biography:Skidmore graduated in political science and philosophy in 1954 from Denison University. He received a Fulbright Fellowship to study philosophy at Oxford University where he met his wife Felicity. He...
1972-1973 - Federico G. GilFederico GilFederico Gil was a political scientist and founder and president of the Latin American Studies Association and a recipient of its Kalman Silvert Award for outstanding lifetime service to Latin American studies. from the University of North Carolina....
1971-1972 - John J. Johnson 1970-1971
- John P. Augelli 1969-1970
- Richard Adams 1968-1969
- Kalman H. Silvert 1967-1968
Awards
- Martin Diskin Dissertation Award
- Bryce Wood Book Award
- LASA/Oxfam America Martin Diskin Memorial Lectureship
- Premio Iberoamericano Book Award
- LASA Media Award
- Silvert AwardSilvert AwardThe Kalman H. Silvert Award was created in honor of the first president of the Latin American Studies Association. Given every 18 months, the Silvert Award "recognizes senior members of the profession who have made distinguished lifetime contributions to the study of Latin America." -Recipients:*...