Alumni
Issue ten: Autumn 2007
ISSN: 1745-249X
Alumni updates
Benedetta Calandra (MA in Area Studies (Latin America), 2000) in July won a permament position as researcher and teacher of South American History at the University of Bergamo.
Eamonn Clements (MSc in Globalisation and Latin American Development, 2003). I have spent the last two years in Mexico City writing about new rock and electronic music with a weekly column on radio ibero 90.9fm (La Universidad iberoamerica) and a monthly column in Indie Rocks - one of the fastest growing music magazines. I also distributed CDs and vinyl for unsigned bands and organised events.
I've concentrated most of my work into a website - www.mexadelic.com where you can find the articles and links to some of the music I have discovered on the road. Although it seems that the adventure is over I feel it was only possible in the first place due to the confidence gained during the years study at the Institute.
You will find an article related to the project at the address below. It has also received recognition for Mexican press and TV, thus perhaps I have made some kind of contribution to the scene: Miami Herald (Mexican Edition) 27/06/2007 http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/miami/24817.html
If you know anyone currently studying these aspects of contemporary culture in Mexico I would be happy to talk to them about my experiences.
Monica Contreras Rosales (MSc in Globalisation and Latin American Development, 2004). Currently, I am working for the Ministry of Economy, as Deputy Directorfor Multilateral Affairs. My responsibilities comprise representing Mexico on APEC on issues related to trade and investment, and to look for ways to enhance theeconomic relationship between Mexico and nations located in Asia and Oceania.
Stijn De Lameillieure (MA in Area Studies (Latin America), 1999) is Tsunami Program Coordinator for Save the Children, UK.
Fiona Gowen (MSc in Globalisation and Latin American Development, 2005), Ellen Kenny (Area Studies (Latin America), 2004) and Caterina Perrone (MSc in Globalisation and Latin American Development, 2004) joined forces last year in setting up a charity Balanyá - Music for Guatemala Trust to support a youth orchestra in a small town in Guatemala - Santa Cruz Balanyá in the southern highlands.
To raise funds for the project, a candlelit concert will be held on Saturday
10 November 2007 at 7.30pm, in Old St Mary’s Church in Stoke Newington,
London N16. Admission is free, but donations will be gratefully accepted.
All are welcome to come and enjoy music from a variety of chamber groups.
For details of the concert, click http://www.balanyamusicforguatemala.org/events.htm
You can read more about Balanyá - Music for Guatemala on the
events page.
Mara Lee (MA in Area Studies (United States), 2006) has recently started as the Caucus Director for the Hillary Clinton Presidential Campaign in Nevada.
Luke Mcleod-Roberts (MA in Area Studies (Latin America), 2005) won NACLA's Samuel Chavkin Investigative Journalism Prize. Here's his article Paramilitary Games on private militias in Rio.
Glyn Robbins (MA in US Studies, 2001). I was in New York for the summer and wrote this report, focusing on one of my fields of interest i.e. comparative housing policy in the US and UK.
Francisco Ferreira ( MA in Area Studies (Latin America),
2006)
I am in Ayacuho, in the Peruvian highlands, starting my PhD fieldwork which
will last for one year. My PhD consists of an ethnographic study of agriculture
rituals, and the symbolic world, among Quechua peasants in the Ayacuho region.
During this year, I will be living most of the time in the small –and
quite isolated- village of Taulle, five hours south of the city. My research
is part of an AHRC-funded project between Royal Holloway University of London,
the British Museum and the University of Huamanga (in Ayacucho).
The project is mainly archaeological, and focuses on the study of Inca ushnus. These ushnus are pyramidal-shaped structures which were built by the Incas across their empire on which to perform different rituals –partially related with agriculture. The project has also an anthropological dimension centred on present-day indigenous ritual life, and that is where my research fits. Last May, we (all the members of the project) came to Peru for the first archaeological season and it was fantastic. It was my first time in Peru, I loved the country and enjoyed very much the archaeological work (an old dream come true). Next year, there will be a second season that I look forward to.
I finished an MA in Area Studies Latin America at ISA last year; and a couple of months later, I got this three-year AHRC studentship. Back in Spain, I had studied History and Art History and afterwards, I spent few years working in different –and not very fulfilling- jobs in Spain and Britain. When I decided to go back to study, I discovered ISA (then still ILAS). Despite that I had not ever been in Latin America before, I had felt a passion for the region for a long time, and after doing a good deal of research and comparison, decided to have a go.
I did the MA on a part-time basis while working at the same time. The course was demanding, challenging and sometimes frustrating. It was my first time studying in a British university and it took me a time –especially after years of working- to adapt. However, it was also very fulfilling from the very beginning, and the staff and fellow students were very supportive, and eager to share their passion for, and knowledge of, Latin America. The first year I took the Comparative Politics of LA course and From Colony to Modernity, and also audited the course on LA economics. The second year, I took The LA Colonial Experience, and audited the course on LA nationalisms. I had my doubts before choosing the former because I though that, job-wise, it was not going to be very useful. However, I was interested in the topic and, finally, went for it. It ended up being a very good decision. We were only two students; the teacher, Linda Newson, was great, and the course was really interesting. I did my first essay about the Inca Empire and when applying for the studentship, I sent this essay with the application. It definitely helped me to get the funding.
Of course, I now regret not having taken the course with Olivia Harris, an outstanding Andeanist. Nevertheless, ISA has been a great academic experience that has opened me, as to many others, amazing doors into the future.