Paulo Drinot
Declaración
My most memorable LASA experience was in Lima in 2017. It was special not only because the congress took place in my birthplace but also due to the inclusive decision to introduce a nominal fee for Peruvian students. I had never experienced a LASA like it: the sessions were packed, the atmosphere was electric, and there was a shared sense of hope among us all. Even Lima’s typically grey skies, its panza de burro, seemed to join in the fun, allowing the sun to bathe the Católica’s campus in light.
My interest in the LASA Treasurer position stems from my desire to contribute to the future of LASA and to the broader field of Latin American studies. Since presenting my first paper based on my master’s thesis at the 1998 meeting in Chicago, I have attended LASA conferences regularly. Over the years, I have held various roles at LASA, including serving as co-chair of the Peru Section (2006-2007), on the Bryce Wood Book Award Committee (2014-2015), and on the Premio Iberoamericano Committee (2020- 2021).
As a Peruvian scholar based in Europe, I have found that LASA conferences play a crucial role in fostering connections and interactions among Latin Americanist communities across Latin America, North America, Europe, and beyond. Through LASA, I have developed unique scholarly collaborations, particularly valuing those of an interdisciplinary nature. My last edited volume was workshopped at LASA 2018 in Barcelona, and I hope to workshop my next edited volume, on the history of authoritarianism in Peru, at LASA 2025 in San Francisco (pending panel acceptance). My published research has benefited immensely from being presented at LASA panels and engaging with LASA members. Having gained so much from LASA, I am eager to ensure that others, especially early career scholars and scholars based in Latin America, can also reap its benefits.
As Treasurer, I would work closely with the President, Vice-President, and the Executive Council, as well as the relevant committees and the Executive Director, to maintain LASA’s solid financial foundation. My goal is to ensure that LASA can continue to fulfil its role as one of the leading area studies organisations in the world and as a home for all Latin Americanists. I aim to support LASA’s diverse activities, including the congresses, the field-defining LARR, and the open-access activities spearhead by LARC.
I bring extensive relevant experience from serving on university committees, journal editorial boards (I was co-editor of the Journal of Latin American Studies from 2014 to 2018), and grant committees. I work effectively and collegially in small teams, possess strong data interpretation skills, and am well-versed in budgeting, financial planning, and reporting. These qualifications make me confident that I can perform the role of Treasurer effectively and with dedication.