Our Mission

The Center for Latin American Studies (CLAS) is Stanford University’s hub for interdisciplinary research on the region. We are committed to evidence-based rigorous investigation and teaching that highlights the complexity of Latin America and its many interacting components. Following the university's founding grant, CLAS seeks to “promote the public welfare by exercising an influence on behalf of humanity and civilization.” We further this goal through advanced scholarship on the region across different fields of study.

Learn more about our mission and history

Tinker Visiting Professors

Under the auspices of a generous endowment from the Edward Larocque Tinker Foundation that was awarded to Stanford and four other universities in 1978, the Center for Latin American Studies (CLAS) has hosted an impressive roster of prominent scholars from Latin America, Iberia, and Canada as Tinker Visiting Professors in Latin American Studies. Learn about current CLAS Tinker Visiting Professors…

Learn more

News

Former Center for Latin American Studies Director (1996-1997) and Emeritus Professor Jorge Ruffinelli (Department of Iberian and Latin American Cultures) passed away on the morning of February 4, 2026.

The Center for Latin American Studies is pleased to invite the Stanford academic community to our Spring Quarter 2026 CLAS Friday Lecture Series, an intellectual forum dedicated to examining the latest cultural, educational, artistic, and scientific advancements in Latin America.

Rodolfo Dirzo, Stanford Biology professor, ecologist, and director of the Center for Latin American Studies (2010-2016), takes us on a tour of The Dirzo Lab and discusses the influence of his youth in southern Mexico for the

Alberto Díaz-Cayeros, Stanford professor, political scientist, and former director of the Center for Latin American Studies, spoke

Events

No events to view at this time. Please check back again soon.