About the research at the IAI
As a non-university area studies institution, the Ibero-Amerikanisches Institut (Ibero-American Institute, IAI) conducts regional research in the humanities, cultural studies, and social sciences, focusing on Latin America, the Caribbean, Spain, Portugal, and their transregional interdependencies. The research activities carried out by IAI scholars span a broad range of disciplines. Third-party funded projects—particularly collaborative initiatives with national and international universities and research institutions—visiting scholars, international networks, and the institute's academic publication program play a key role in the IAI's research endeavors.
Research and collections
In addition, the diverse, multimedia holdings of the library and special collections are central to the research profile. On the one hand, they represent an outstanding research and knowledge infrastructure for the implementation of research and events. On the other hand, they are an object of research in their own right. Many projects are located at the interface between research and collections, and between science and culture. Based on the regional orientation of the collections and their multimedia character, the IAI contributes to the debates on material and immaterial cultures, including the effects of digital transformation, in terms of both content and methodology.
Our research line
The IAI bundles some of its research activities in the research theme "Knowledge Production and Cultural Transfers: Latin America in a Trans-regional Contexts". It represents an important orientation framework for the Institute's research profile. The research line deals with the conditions and processes of knowledge production in Latin America and the Caribbean and their transregional interdependencies in various formats (including third-party funded projects, research colloquia, lecture series, workshops, publications). Investigations into the production of knowledge about Latin America and the Caribbean and the role of these regions in processes of international knowledge circulation are also part of the research line.
Latin America globally
We are convinced that it is important to study Latin America and the Caribbean as well as Germany's and Europe's relations with the region. As a politically and economically globally networked country, Germany can particularly benefit from expert knowledge about this region. In addition, there are academic and social debates in Latin America and the Caribbean on issues such as biodiversity, democracy, violence, migration and the energy industry that extend far beyond the region and from which we can also learn.