UConn’s El Instituto (Institute of Latina/o, Caribbean and Latin American Studies)
Merging Latina/o and Latin American studies courses and faculty, El Instituto supports the development of hemispheric and Latina/o-centered perspectives on critical ethnic studies and world area studies.
Apply now to the joint MPP or MPA, and Latina/o American Studies MA program
Gain both policy analysis or administrative skills and in-depth international/intercultural knowledge through this dual MA program of study. Through the joint Master’s degree program, complete El Instituto’s MA in Latina/o and Latin American Studies while also earning a second Master’s in either Public Administration or Public Policy.
Undergraduate major/minor in Latina/o and Latin American Studies
Our undergraduate majors and minors learn research methods and find real-world applications for their skills.
Recent News
Rights of Immigrants Resources
We are providing some valuable resources about immigration rights. Check out the flyer and websites for resources on immigration and your rights. 1. Know Your Rights Under the U.S. Constitution – No Matter Who Is President 2. AFT – Immigration Resources
[Read More]Alumni contributes to Puerto Rico’s research news outlet
Luis Palomino is a graduate of the MA program at El Instituto and is currently an economic analyst with the UConn Puerto Rican Studies Initiative. The Centro, the Periodismo Investigativo, is the most important research news outlet in Puerto Rico, and it focuses on doing in-depth work on complex topics. In the following site, you can […]
[Read More]UConn Faculty Updates
Two colleagues in El Instituto were recently included in two news articles. Our new colleague Anna-Michelle McSorley was recently profiled in UConn Today, “From Policy to Action: Anna-Michelle McSorley Focuses on Health Equity for Latinos.” which details her work on addressing health inequities in relation to federal and local policies. To read the article visit […]
[Read More]Upcoming Events
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Feb
12
BORDERLAND | The Line Within - Human Rights Film+ Series 4:00pm
BORDERLAND | The Line Within - Human Rights Film+ Series
Wednesday, February 12th, 2025
04:00 PM - 06:30 PM
The Dodd Center for Human Rights
About the Film
BORDERLAND | The Line Within is a documentary that explores the reality that the United States border is not just a geographic location. The border is everywhere. It lies within every undocumented immigrant family with the threat that at any moment they can be captured, incarcerated, deported; their lives destroyed. The film not only exposes the profitable business of immigration and its human cost, but weaves together the stories of immigrant heroines and heroes resisting and showing a way forward, intent on building a movement in the shadow of the border industrial complex, recognizing the human rights of all.
Following a screening of the film, we’re thrilled to be joined by filmmakers Paco de Onís and Pamela Yates for a post-show discussion moderated by El Instituto’s Anne Gebelein. Join us after for a catered reception in the Dodd Lounge.
Watch the Trailer
About the Filmmakers
Paco de Onís and Pamela Yates – Producer and Director of BORDERLAND. Paco is the Executive Director and Pamela is the co-founder of Skylight, a human rights media organization dedicated to strengthening social justice movements through cinematic storytelling and catalyzing collaborative networks of artists and activists. In many ways BORDERLAND brings the saga of Skylight’s Guatemala trilogy–When the Mountains Tremble (1983), Granito (2011), and 500 Years (2017)–full circle back to the U.S. From the impact of U.S. foreign policy that backed brutal regimes leading to the root causes of migration, to the present situation of mass migration from Central America.Our Sponsors
This event is supported by the Human Rights Film & Digital Media Initiative, a collaborative venture between the Department of Digital Media & Design and the Dodd Human Rights Impact Programs at the Gladstein Family Human Rights, as well as UConn’s El Instituto (Institute of Latina/o, Caribbean, and Latin American Studies).
Contact Information:
Alex Branzell, Events & Communications Coordinator, Gladstein Family Human Rights Institute, University of Connecticut
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Feb
18
U.S. Democracy & Human Rights at a Crossroads 12:30pm
U.S. Democracy & Human Rights at a Crossroads
Tuesday, February 18th, 2025
12:30 PM - 02:00 PM
The Dodd Center for Human Rights
About this Event
Panelists will engage in conversation and reflection on everyday practices of democracy during a period of deep polarization at the national level, proposing pathways for meaningful civic engagement.
Panelists
- Jason Chang - Director, Asian & Asian American Studies Institute; Head of the Department of Social & Critical Inquiry; Associate Professor of History and Asian American Studies; Faculty Affiliate in American Studies, El Instituto, and Maritime Studies
- Sandy Grande - Director, Native American & Indigenous Studies; Professor of Political Science and Native American & Indigenous Studies; Faculty Affiliate in American Studies, Philosophy, and the Race, Ethnicity & Politics program
- Evelyn M. Simien - Director, Africana Studies Institute; Professor of Political Science; Faculty Affiliate in American Studies and Women’s Gender & Sexuality Studies
- Charles R. Venator-Santiago - Director, El Instituto: Institute of Latina/o, Caribbean, & Latin American Studies; Associate Professor, Political Science and El Instituto; Faculty Affiliate in American Studies and Asian American Studies
Moderator
- James Waller - Christopher J. Dodd Chair in Human Rights Practice; Director, Dodd Human Rights Impact Programs; Professor, Literatures, Cultures, & Languages
Sponsors
This event is hosted by Dodd Human Rights Impact Programs. It is co-sponsored by the Gladstein Family Human Rights Institute; Africana Studies Institute; Asian & Asian American Studies Institute; El Instituto: Institute of Latina/o, Caribbean, & Latin American Studies; and Native American & Indigenous Studies Initiative.
Contact Information:
Alex Branzell, Events & Communications Coordinator, Gladstein Family Human Rights Institute, University of Connecticut
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Feb
20
El Instituto’s Pre-doctoral Awardee Presentation: Daniela Itzel Dominguez Tavares 2:00pm
El Instituto’s Pre-doctoral Awardee Presentation: Daniela Itzel Dominguez Tavares
Thursday, February 20th, 2025
02:00 PM
Ryan Building
Every academic year, El Instituto awards Pre-doctoral fellowships to support pre-doctoral graduate student research or creative projects related to Latina/o and/or Latin American Studies.
This semester, join El Instituto’s Pre-doctoral Fellowship Awardees research presentations!
Presenter: Daniela I Domínguez Tavares
Title: “The afterlives of Mexican oil expropriation: tourism, development, and natural resources propaganda. 1939-1960”
Daniela Domínguez Tavares will present part of her dissertation prospectus and
expects feedback and comments to help her complete it. Tavares’s PhD project
examines the post-revolutionary Mexican state and the importance of oil for development, natural resource narratives, and US-Mexico bilateral relations.There is limited space; RSVP today!
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Feb
27
FILM SCREENING: The Eternal Night + Q & A with director & screenwriter 2:00pm
FILM SCREENING: The Eternal Night + Q & A with director & screenwriter
Thursday, February 27th, 2025
02:00 PM
Student Union
FILM SCREENING: The Eternal Night (La Noche Eterna) + Q&A with Coco Fusco (director) and Enrique del Risco (screenwriter)
The Eternal Night-La noche eterna is the story of three young Cuban men who were condemned for their beliefs and their creations. It is about the power of the imagination to transcend circumstance.Sponsors: John N. Plank Cuban Lecture Series, Department of Literatures, Cultures and Languages (Spanish)
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Mar
1
El Instituto’s Graduate Research Forum 9:45am
El Instituto’s Graduate Research Forum
Saturday, March 1st, 2025
09:45 AM - 02:15 PM
Ryan Building
“ELIN’s Graduate Research Forum: Interdisciplinary Perspectives from Latina/o, Caribbean, and Latin American Studies”
Saturday, March 1, 2025
9:45am-2:15pm
Ryan Building, Room 204
Join El Instituto’s Graduate Research Forum, where graduate students will share and defend their research! This research forum showcases new interdisciplinary collaboration and academic exchange across multiple departments: valuable feedback and networking opportunities with peers and faculty.Schedule Overview:
- 3 Sessions with presentations along with Q&A
- Breaks in between sessions
- Lunch provided to conclude event
Please enter through El Instituto’s main entrance on the side of the building passing the (InCHIP) Institute for Collaboration on Health, Intervention, and Policy. You can find information for directions in El Instituto’s website.
There is limited space, RSVP today!