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During my time at UoR (since January 2023), R-LAC has grown in scope and impact through innovative events and support for Latin American researchers. One of the first events I attended at the university was the R-LAC mixer, where I met an impressive number of people working in Latin America across different disciplines. This networking also created a welcome home, much like similar events I have attended at the David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies at Harvard University and the Roger Thayer Stone Center for Latin American Studies at Tulane University. I met colleagues who I have gone on to work with on grant applications. It was clear to me that such cross-disciplinary synergy was a typical effect for R-LAC events.<\/p>\n
My research and publication activities directly benefitted from R-LAC support. As part of my British Academy Global Professorship, I organised a two-day workshop on Indigenous food in Latin America in June, 2025. This event helped kick-start a high-quality academic publication, guiding it to productive and innovative points of inquiry. The visiting scholars very much valued the support of R-LAC.<\/p>\n
R-LAC is high impact, as it brings Latin America to the university, and the university to Latin America, resulting in robust and diverse scholarship and community-based endeavours.<\/p>\n
Being part of R-LAC\u202fhas been extremely valuable for my research and PhD journey. Through R-LAC, I have gained access to a vibrant and supportive community of scholars working on Latin America, which has helped me build meaningful academic connections both within the University of Reading and across the region. Members of the network have generously connected me with other researchers in Latin America who supported my PhD data collection, significantly strengthening my project. In addition, the wide range of events organised by R-LAC has showcased the breadth and quality of research taking place across disciplines, providing an inspiring space for intellectual exchange and collaboration. R-LAC has played an important role in fostering a strong and inclusive research culture around Latin American studies at Reading.<\/p>\n
R-LAC is a great network to connect to as a Guatemalan doing research about Latin America in the United Kingdom, it has been important for my career and research to connect with other researchers connected to the region. Seeing the breadth and diversity of studies from the region at University of Reading, has linked key data points that have strengthen my own PhD and future work as an early-career researcher, impacting the work I do, and hope to do.<\/p>\n
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