The Latin American Security Research Group (LAS) gathers experts working on international relations, defence and security in Latin America, both focusing on research and teaching. A community of practitioners and academics, LAS develops cutting-edge research on Latin American states and societies, to produce impactful thought and scholarship in and about the region, and its relations with the rest of the world.

At LAS, we approach security in a broad sense, through traditional and critical lenses. We investigate how Latin American state and non-state actors respond to challenges that are specific to the region, but are also embedded in global and transnational phenomena.

LAS particularly welcomes interdisciplinary research aiming to explore historical and contemporary issues of security and conflict, both empirically and theoretically. We are also eager to develop innovative and student-centred pedagogies, constructing knowledge collaboratively and dynamically.

Research themes

• Legacies of Conflict
• Transnational Organised Crime
• Urban Violence
• Environmental security
• Geopolitics
• Maritime Security
• Civil-Military Relations