The Society
The Swiss Society of Latin American Studies, previously Société Suisse des Américanistes, was founded in 1949 to address relevant topics in Latin America from a wide range of disciplines.
Our mision
The Swiss Society of Latin American Studies (SSLAS) is intended to foster Latin American Studies in Switzerland. Its purpose is to promote research on Latin America in Switzerland, through scholarly meetings, publications, grant opportunities, and interaction among members of Swiss institutions interested in the region. It is open for membership to individuals and Institutions that are either based in or have ties to Switzerland.
Our activities
Through the SSLAS you can:
- Apply for co-funding for a conference or workshop.
- Early-career scholars can apply to travel subsidies granted by the Swiss Academy of Humanities and Social Sciences.
- Join our mailing list, where we share relevant events and opportunities.
- Connect to a relevant network of scholars working on Latin America across Switzerland.
- Join our annual General Assembly and enjoy voting rights.
Our history
Founded in 1949, the Swiss Society of Latin American Studies (SSLAS) is a member association of the Swiss Academy of Humanities and Social Sciences (SAGW). In its early days, the society was named the Société Suisse des Américanistes (SSA), and it consisted mainly of Swiss anthropologists and ethnologists conducting research in the Americas. Over the years, the society has integrated members from other countries and expanded to include a variety of disciplines, such as geography, art, history, literature, sociology, and economics. The society has also shifted its focus to research on the Latin American region.
In 2025, the society changed its name to the «Swiss Society of Latin American Studies» to reflect this shift in focus. The SSLAS is a nonprofit organization financed mainly by annual member contributions and the SAGW. Its primary working languages are Spanish and English.