The Hamburg Institute for Advanced Study (HIAS)and the Center of Advanced Latin American Studies (CALAS) invite outstanding scholars to critically engage with these dynamics by focusing on one of the following three thematic dimensions. Proposals that establish connections between at least two dimensions are particularly welcome:
1. Feminism and Authoritarianism
- How is the attack on feminism being weaponized to justify repression, control, and the rollback of rights?
- How do movements react to counter the attacks?
This dimension investigates the strategic use of anti-feminist rhetoric—from the myth of the “gender ideology” to the criminalization of abortion and LGBTQ+ rights—as a central pillar of authoritarian projects. It explores how patriarchal and heteronormative norms are being institutionalized through law, education, media, and digital platforms. Further, we welcome research on the gendered impacts of authoritarianism, the intersection with anti-environmentalism, and anti-Indigenous positions, and the cultural and political resistance of feminist, Indigenous, and LGBTQ+ movements. We therefore also welcome research on emancipatory practices, and solidarity networks of social reproduction that challenge patriarchal and authoritarian power.
2. Extractivism and authoritarianism
- What is the role of extractivism in authoritarian changes?
- What alternatives emerge and from where?
- What alternative strategies are emancipatory socio-ecological movements developing to counter authoritarian policies, and how effective have these proposals been?
This dimension analyzes the centrality of extractivism in authoritarian developments in Latin America. It examines how climate denialism, the delegitimisation of environmentalism and the intensification of extractivism are linked to authoritarian projects and how ecological destruction is justified through nationalist goals, security discourses, or “economic necessity”. We seek research on the interconnections between extractivism and authoritarianism, as well as on emancipatory alternatives rooted in critical theory, feminist, and Indigenous epistemologies, and community-led resistance. The focus is on transformative visions of sustainability, justice, and socio-ecological reproduction.
3. Culture, art and regression
- In what ways are culture and aesthetics instrumentalized as a tool of power and control to legitimize authoritarian orders in Latin America?
- How can artistic, aesthetical and cultural practices function as forms of political resistance that challenge the authoritarian reconfiguration of public culture?
This dimension examines the impacts of discourses of hate (hate speech), forms of cultural exclusion, the digitalization of information and knowledge, the denial of scientific knowledge, increasing populism and verbal violence on cultural norms and practices as well as on art and
Applications may be submitted until 24 May 2026.
Further information on the HIAS fellowships can be found in the attached document.