The Latin American Studies Association (LASA) is the largest association for scholars of Latin American studies. Founded in 1966,[1] it has over 12,000 members, 45 percent of whom reside outside the United States (36 percent in Latin America and the Caribbean), LASA brings together experts on Latin America from all disciplines and diverse occupational endeavors, across the globe.[2]
LASA was founded in 1966 following a meeting sponsored by the Joint Committee on Latin American Studies (composed of the Social Science Research Council (SSRC) and the American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS), held at the Hispanic Foundation (now the Hispanic Division) of the Library of Congress, May 7, 1966. LASA's constitution and bylaws were drafted and on May 12, 1966 it was incorporated in Washington, D.C., as a legal, tax exempt organization, "non-profit professional body created by scholarly area specialists to meet their particular and growing needs."[3] The incorporation of the LASA was the culmination of a long process to create such an organization after the failure of a previous attempt. In April 1958, Howard F. Cline, Director of the Hispanic Foundation of the Library of Congress (1952–71) and the ACLS organized a conference to explore the creation of a coordinating body for Latin American area studies. In 1959, the ACLS and the SSRC formed the Joint Committee on Latin American Studies, which ultimately led to the founding of LASA as an organization.[4] The Constitution and Bylaws of the Latin American Studies Association were published in the Latin American Research Review in 1966.[5] LASA's first President after its 1966 incorporation was political scientist Kalman Silvert, who published extensively on Latin American political systems and conflict.[6] LASA honors Silvert's memory with a major prize. In 1986, the association moved to the University of Pittsburgh where it remained until opening its own facility in 2022, the Latin American Cultural Center, adjacent to the university's campus.[7]
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."[2]
LASA's Latin American Cultural Center (LACC), located in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh adjacent to the University of Pittsburgh, serves as the headquarters of the association and features museum displays, rotating exhibits, meeting spaces, and a performance venue to showcase live programming that highlights the cultures, music, film, and current day issues of Latin America and the Caribbean. The LACC building, acquired by LASA in 2019 and opened in 2022,[8] the building was built in 1912 by Ingham and Boyd[7] and is a contributing property to the National Register of Historic Places' Schenley Farms Historic District.
LASA Congresses
Every year, specialists on Latin America gather at the LASA International Congress. Featuring over 900 sessions, including plenary sessions and informal meetings, the Congress is the world's premier forum for expert discussion on Latin America and the Caribbean.
The theme of the 2019 Boston LASA Congress was “Justice and Inclusion".
The theme of the 2024 Bogotá, Colombia LASA Congress was "Reaction and Resistance: imagining possible futures in the Americas"[9]
Regional Subgroups
At the 1992 LASA Congress in Los Angeles, scholars specializing in Brazil founded the Brazilian Studies Association (BRASA).[10] BRASA now holds independent biennial meetings.[10]
Howard F. Cline Book Prize in Mexican History, named for a founder of LASA[19]
Publishing
LASA publishes an interdisciplinary scholarly journal, the Latin American Research Review (LARR) founded in 1965 by a consortium of U.S. universities.[20]LARR is an interdisciplinary journal that publishes original research and surveys of current research on Latin America and the Caribbean.
LASA has established a publishing house, the Latin American Research Commons, that publishes LARR and other books and journals.[21]
↑ Howard F. Cline, "The Latin American Studies Association: A Summary Survey with Appendix," Latin American Research Review, Vol. 2. No. 1 (Autumn 1966), pp. 57-79.
↑ Howard F. Cline, "Latin American Studies Association: A Summary Survey with Appendix," Latin American Research Review, Vol. 2, No. 1 (Autumn 1966) pp. 75-79.
↑ Kalman H. Silvert, obituary. New York Times, June 17, 1976, p. 38.
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