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The ZILAS

The Centre for Latin American Studies brings together interdisciplinary research on Latin America at KU, connects scholars across Bavaria, and strengthens academic exchange between Germany and Latin America. With a 40-year history, it links research and teaching in fields such as literature, history, geography, theology, social work, anthropology, and political science, while also serving as a bridge between the university and civil society.

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Events and News
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Team
Visiting fellowship program
ZILAS Praxis

Newsletter | ZILAS Sonoro | BA Latin American Studies | MA Conflict, Memory, Peace | Partner Universities

 

Events and News

[Translate to English:] Oscar Palma

Lateinamerika in Bewegung: Dr. Oscar Palma on the Persistence of Armed Conflict in Colombia

Why does armed conflict persist in Colombia despite the 2016 Peace Agreement? Prof. Dr. Oscar Palma (Universidad del Rosario, Colombia) examines the…

[Translate to English:] Alke Jenss

Militarized Infrastructures in Mexico and Their Socio-Environmental Impacts – Lecture by Dr. Alke Jenss

How does militarization reshape infrastructure development in Mexico? Dr. Alke Jenss examines the military's growing role in transport, logistics, and…

[Translate to English:] Benjamin Loy

Lateinamerika in Bewegung: Prof. Dr. Benjamin Loy – Dramas of Remembrance

How do popular realism, kitsch, and moral affects shape contemporary Latin American memory fiction? As part of the Lateinamerika in Bewegung lecture…

Dr. Silvana Rabinovich

Silvana Rabinovich Visits KU Eichstätt-Ingolstadt. Two Events on Decolonial Philosophy and Theology

Philosopher Silvana Rabinovich (UNAM, Mexico City) will be visiting KU Eichstätt-Ingolstadt. On November 24 and 25, she will discuss justice,…

[Translate to English:] Jessica Budds

Water, Power, and Hydrosocial Inequalities in Latin America

How do responses to water scarcity reproduce social inequalities? Drawing on the case of Chile, Jessica Budds examines how water markets, state…

[Translate to English:] Rechtsruck LATAM

The Rightward Shift in Latin America: Assessing the Current Situation and Possible Scenarios

Public panel discussion as part of the theme week “Science against Fascism”

[Translate to English:] Renata Motta

Prof. Dr. Renata Motta – Food Politics and Activist Networks in the City: Reaching Places Food and Policies Don't

As part of the ZILAS Winter Lecture Series 2026/27, “Environmental Justice in Latin America,” Prof. Dr. Renata Motta from Heidelberg University will…

[Translate to English:] Mariana Filgueiras

When Domestic Workers Become Writers – Lecture by Mariana Filgueiras

How are domestic workers in Latin America becoming authors of their own stories? Dr. Mariana Filgueiras (UFMG/DAAD) explores this transformation…

[Translate to English:] ZILAS-Vortragsreihe im Winter 2026/27

Environmental Justice in Latin America – ZILAS Winter Lecture Series 2026/27

The ZILAS Winter Lecture Series 2026/27 is dedicated to environmental justice in Latin America. The lectures address the topic from different…

[Translate to English:] Tourism and Peace

Building Peace through Tourism: Community Experiences from Post-Agreement Colombia

How can community-based tourism contribute to peacebuilding, reconciliation and sustainable livelihoods? On 15 October 2026, ZILAS brings together…

New Publications

(Trans-)Oceanic Imaginations

Prof. Miriam Lay Brander und Prof. Dr Anne Kraume geben den Band (Trans-)Oceanic Imaginations: Navigating the Entangled Histories and Futures of the Sea heraus – ein interdisziplinäres Buch, das das Meer als Raum verflochtener Geschichten und Zukünfte neu denkt und dabei Mobilität, Erinnerung, Infrastruktur und ökologische Umbrüche miteinander verbindet.

Child Labour Opponents and Their Campaigns in the Americas

Prof. Dr. Nina Schneider: Child Labour Opponents and Their Campaigns in the Americas. A Global Perspective (1888–1938) – jetzt online frei zugänglich und als PDF downloadbar.

Team of the ZILAS

Board of Directors of ZILAS

Miriam Lay Brander
Prof. Dr. Miriam Lay Brander
Head of Chair Romance Literary Studies II
Phone +49 8421 93-23132
E-mail miriam.lay-brander@ku.de
Building Universitätsallee/Zentralbibliothek  |  Room: UA-244
Nina Schneider
Prof. Dr. Nina Schneider
Chair of Latin American History
Phone +49 8421 93-21565
E-mail Nina.Schneider@ku.de
Room: UA-126

Scientific Coordinator

Luis Peña
Dr. Luis Peña
Scientific Coordinator of ZILAS
Phone +49 8421 9323224
E-mail luis.pena@ku.de
Room: DP8-106

Partnerships with Latin America & first contact

Claudia Velázquez-Schobert
Dr. Claudia Velázquez-Schobert
Coordinator of ZILAS
Phone +49 8421 93-21249
E-mail Claudia.Velazquez-Schobert@ku.de
Building Domplatz 8  |  Room: DP8-106

Cordination of binational Master Conflict, Memory, Peace

Alexandra Koball
Research Associate
Phone +49 (0) 8421 93-21119
E-mail Alexandra.Koball@ku.de
Building Domplatz 8  |  Room: DP8-105

40 Years of ZILAS

Anniversary (1986–2026)

On 11 June 2026, ZILAS at KU Eichstätt-Ingolstadt warmly invites you to celebrate the 40th anniversary of ZILAS. The anniversary program includes the Ceremonial Opening, the exhibition “Research in Dialogue: 40 Years of Latin American Studies in Eichstätt,” the Seventh Maximilian-Bickhoff Colloquium “Latin American Studies in Times of Upheaval,” and the Alumni Event “Generations in Dialogue.”

Date: 11 June 2026

Time: 10:00–20:00

Click this box to view the programme and further details.

Seventh Maximilian Bickhoff Colloquium
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