Latin American Studies PhD

University of Liverpool

We are one of the longest-running established centres for the study of Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American Studies in the UK. Research at Liverpool is characterised by wide-ranging interests in the national and global dimensions of Latin American Studies, with a particular emphasis on social science, historical and cultural studies research.IntroductionResearch activity in Latin American Studies is at the forefront of developments in literary, historical, cultural studies, and the social sciences. We are the home to major journals, including the Bulletin of Hispanic Studies, the Bulletin of Contemporary Hispanic Studies, and Modern Languages Open. Our research enhances our understanding of ‘Latin American studies’ as our research relates to the multiple geographical and linguistic contexts that make up the Hispanic and Lusophone worlds.You will benefit from interdisciplinary and cross-institutional supervision tailored to your research interests. Latin American Studies is part of the Language-Based Area Studies pathway of the ESRC North-West Doctoral Training Centre, which includes the University of Manchester and Lancaster University. This means you can access the resources, facilities, modules and expertise across 3 top UK universities. Research topicsWe welcome research proposals that are in areas matching the expertise of our researchers. Potential themes of your research could include:Latin American cinemasBrazilian popular culture and performanceLatin American literature and cultureLatin American popular culture and memoryDigital cultures in Latin AmericaLatin American political history social movements and identity memory and human rightsViolence and its traumatic aftermaths in literature, film and digital cultures.You’re also welcome to suggest your own theme for a potential research project. Some current and recent PhD topics include:Youth mobilisation and empowerment in El SalvadorTransitional justice in GuatemalaCitizenship in Rio de Janeiro’s favelasNatural resource extraction and rural resistance in PeruSexual politics and social movements in BrazilIndigenous movements in BoliviaParticipatory democracy in VenezuelaLocal content and online practices in a Brazilian favelaGender, sport and development in Nicaragua.