The Society of Latin American Studies Conference returns to Leeds! Proposals invited
On 9 and 10 April, 2026, Leeds will be hosting the annual conference of the Society of Latin American Studies (SLAS), marking a return to the city for the first time since 2009.
The conference, themed Memory Studies and Social Justice, invites scholars, artists, activists, and practitioners to explore how collective memory shapes struggles for equity across Latin America and its diasporas.
Inspired by Cara Levey’s evocative framing – “Memory is both compass and companion – guiding us through histories of erasure toward futures of justice” – the conference will examine memory as a site of healing, contestation, and transformation. Topics include environmental justice, memorialisation, transitional justice, gender and race, digital archives, and the Latin American diaspora in the UK.
Latin American studies thriving in Yorkshire
The event comes amid a surge of scholarly and community interest in Latin American studies in Leeds and Yorkshire. Recent initiatives such as the ‘Thinking Inside the Box: 1973’ exhibition and growing engagement with diaspora communities have underscored the region’s vibrant connections to Latin America. The University of Leeds itself hosts a wide array of research on Latin America across its schools, making it a fantastic opportunity for interdisciplinary dialogue.
SLAS, founded in 1964, is one of Europe’s leading Latin American studies organisations, with a membership spanning academia, diplomacy, journalism, and civil society. Its annual conferences – alongside those of PILAS, its postgraduate arm – are key fixtures in the field. The 2026 PILAS conference will take place on 8 April, preceding the main event.
Proposals invited
Proposals are invited in the form of papers, panels, roundtables, workshops, or performance-based interventions. Abstracts (300 words max) are due by Monday 27 October 2025, with notifications sent in December. A number of grants will be available to support Latin American scholars, early-career researchers, and those facing financial hardship.
Contact organisers: Dr Anna Grimaldi (A.Grimaldi@leeds.ac.uk) and Dr Markus Fraundorfer (M.Fraundorfer@leeds.ac.uk)
