Call for Participation
The University of Texas at Austin
April 20-22, 2023
Application deadline: January 15, 2023
ISLAA Forum: Latin American and Latinx Art and Visual Culture Dissertation Workshop
The Center for Latin American Visual Studies (CLAVIS) and the Institute for Studies on Latin American Art (ISLAA) are pleased to announce the second convening of the ISLAA Forum: Latin American and Latinx Art and Visual Culture Dissertation Workshop, to take place at the University of Texas at Austin on April 20-22, 2023.
This workshop is intended to serve doctoral students of modern and contemporary Latin American and Latinx art and visual culture from the nineteenth century to the present day. Full-time students with at least one year of completed doctoral coursework at an accredited university, and currently working on a dissertation proposal or a chapter manuscript, are eligible to apply. Generous support from ISLAA will cover the full cost of round-trip air travel to Austin, lodging, and ground transportation. Meals will also be provided.
This 3-day program invites up to 6 doctoral students to develop their dissertation proposals and chapter manuscripts with a group of scholars with a variety of geographic, thematic, and methodological interests.
In the workshop, students will give brief overviews of their dissertation projects and engage in extended discussion of their proposal or chapter manuscript, offering and receiving constructive commentary toward improving their research plan and writing. Discussions will emphasize strengthening conceptual and narrative frameworks and potential for interdisciplinary approaches, as well as identifying additional primary sources, relevant literatures, and possible interlocutors. We will also visit several of UT Austin’s research collections, which include the Blanton Museum, Benson Library, and Ransom Center. The goal is to support highly original and fully historicized dissertations that directly contribute to a more rigorous, international, and collaborative field.
We are especially interested in hearing from emerging scholars working on Black, Indigenous, feminist, queer, Central American, and Caribbean projects. We also want to hear from scholars from communities historically underrepresented in academia.
Application Information
To apply please submit the following to clavisislaaforum@gmail.com by 11:59pm CST, Sunday, January 15, 2023:
1) A 1,000-word narrative description of your dissertation project
We understand that expectations for dissertation proposals vary from institution to institution. For the purposes of this program, we are looking for a description of your dissertation, including: title, summary of topic, object(s) of inquiry, hypothesis or overarching argument(s), primary sources to be consulted, methodology, (very concise) literature review, and potential historiographical significance.
2) A 2-page curriculum vitae
3) A 1-page cover sheet with your legal name (and preferred name), department, university, year of doctoral study, citizenship, current address, phone, and email address.
4) A brief letter from your primary dissertation advisor that confirms that you are currently preparing or writing a dissertation and explains your project’s potential scholarly contribution to your chosen field(s). Letters should be sent by the advisor directly to clavisislaaforum@gmail.com.
Selection decisions will be communicated to applicants by January 31, 2023.
Questions about the workshop can be directed to Dr. George Flaherty (gflaherty@austin.utexas.edu) and Dr. Adele Nelson (adele.nelson@austin.utexas.edu).
Additional Information
Applications are accepted in English, Spanish, or Portuguese. The primary language of the workshop will be English, but participants are welcome to use the language they are most comfortable with.
By March 31, 2023, selected participants will provide a 2,000-2,500-word version of their dissertation proposal or a chapter manuscript (please no more than 7,500-12,500 words). They will also prepare a 10-minute illustrated overview of their project, to be delivered during the workshop.
Selected participants agree to submit required documents on time and participate in every aspect of the three-day workshop, including the expectation of arrival to Austin by Wednesday, April 19. Should participants want to stay in Austin for a longer period, we are happy book reasonable corresponding travel. However, we cannot provide any additional accommodation support.
We welcome applications from international applicants based at non-U.S. institutions. Please note that while the organizers are more than happy to provide a letter of invitation on institutional letterhead, UT is unable to assist in obtaining travel visas.
In light of the evolving status of COVID-19 transmission, the workshop may be altered to a hybrid or fully virtual model. We will keep invited participants informed as we negotiate these contingencies.
The ISLAA Forum is organized by Dr. George Flaherty and Dr. Adele Nelson of the Center for Latin American Visual Studies, University of Texas at Austin.
The ISLAA Forum is supported by the Institute for Studies on Latin American Art (ISLAA). The ISLAA Forum aims to expand collaborative relationships through long-term partnerships with universities throughout the United States. The ISLAA Forum fosters connection and solidarity among graduate students studying Latin American Art by developing targeted programs for professional and intellectual enrichment and addressing potential disparities in resource accessibility and distribution for specialists in the field.
Additional support provided by the Art History Lecture Series, Department of Art and Art History, University of Texas at Austin.
George F. Flaherty, PhD
Associate Professor, Art History
Director, Center for Latin American Visual Studies
University of Texas at Austin