News

George Brown Professor Natalie Wood wins CERLAC's Michael Baptista Essay Prize

George Brown Polytechnic professor and researcher Natalie Wood has been awarded the Michael Baptista Essay Prize by York University's Centre for Research on Latin America and the Caribbean (CERLAC).   Wood, a professor in the Social Service Worker program and co-designer of the Black Futures Research Institute, was recently named the 2025 Baptista Prize winner for the essay, Tidal Relations: Pelagic Theories of the Black Atlantic.  The essay outlines ocean-based (pelagic) theories that demonstrate how Black scholars and artists analyze and […]

CERLAC Fellow Gillian McGillivray just published a new article: "Cane Farmers Versus Sugar Factories in Post-Emancipation Era Cuba and Brazil" 

"Cane Farmers Versus Sugar Factories in Post-Emancipation Era Cuba and Brazil"  In Plantation Knowledge: Agricultural Colonization, Exploitation, and Exchange Since 1500, edited by Nicholas B. Miller and Ulrike Lindner.  Here is a description of the book, and the link: The first book to examine plantations in their global variations through the history of knowledge. Few […]

3rd Annual Talawa Charity Gala

CERLAC had a wonderful time attending the 3rd Annual Talawa Charity Gala on Saturday Feb 7th, 2026 at the Belmont Event Space at the Delta Hotel in Toronto. Organized by the Talawa Community Health Centre and chaired by York University Professor Michelle Johnson, this annual Gala raises proceeds that goes towards the financial support and […]

CERLAC Visiting Researcher Bruno Biasetto has published an article in LARR

The Other Hand of God: The Impact of the 1988–1989 Drought in Argentina This article examines the adverse impact of the La Niña phenomenon in Argentina from 1988 to 1989 on the country’s economy, which led to a profound crisis. The severe drought significantly affected agricultural exports, exacerbating poverty and inflation. The resulting economic downturn […]

CERLAC Co-Director and Fellow Tameka Samuels-Jones becomes CALACS Vice-President

Dear CALACS Members, We hope this message finds you well. We are pleased to share several exciting updates with you: New Leadership 2026 CALACS Congress To read the full CALACS announcement click here.

CERLAC Fellow, Jean-Jacques Rosseau, facilitated the visit of the Rector of the State University of Haiti (UEH), Dr. Dieuseul Prédélus

L’Université d’État d’Haïti renforce ses liens académiques au Canada Le recteur de l’Université d’État d’Haïti (UEH), Dr Dieuseul Prédélus, a récemment effectué une série de rencontres au Collège Glendon de l’Université York, ainsi qu’à l’Université Laval, en vue d’accélérer la mise en œuvre de partenariats universitaires concrets. «Pour conclure une convention de collaboration ouvrant des passerelles […]

Professor and CERLAC Fellow David A.B. Murray has a new book titled Queer Anthropology

Professor David A.B. Murray has a new book titled Queer Anthropology tracking the history of anthropological research on sexuality and gender from its origins to the present In the early 1990s, “queer anthropology” represented a new and radically different approach to anthropological research on sexuality and gender, but it is now an established subfield of […]

Project from CERLAC Fellow Miguel Gonzalez is featured on YFile

From research to rights: York project supports self-determination in Central America, Caribbean A research initiative led by York University is building lasting partnerships and resources to support community-driven autonomy strategies across Central America and the Caribbean. In 2024, Prilly Bicknell-Hersco sat on the shaded porch of a house on Colombia’s San Andrés Archipelago, surrounded by […]

Professor and CERLAC Fellow David A.B. Murray has a new book titled Queer Anthropology

Professor David A.B. Murray has a new book titled Queer Anthropology tracking the history of anthropological research on sexuality and gender from its origins to the present In the early 1990s, “queer anthropology” represented a new and radically different approach to anthropological research on sexuality and gender, but it is now an established subfield of […]

CERLAC Fellow and Co-Director Research Story Live on the CRC and SSHRC websites

Toward more equitable representation in research: New work is supporting important contributions to Canada’s scholarly knowledge Story focus: Tameka Samuels-Jones is empowering emerging scholars from Latin America and the Caribbean to succeed in Canada. For aspiring researchers looking to advance their academic careers abroad, Canada holds a lot of appeal. It’s recognized for its social […]