Diego Portales University Humanities Book Award
About the award
The Diego Portales University Humanities Award seeks to reaffirm the central role of humanities research in understanding the intellectual histories, cultures, languages, and knowledge systems of Latin America and the Caribbean.
The award recognizes works that demonstrate originality, intellectual rigor, and lasting academic value, in alignment with both LASA’s mission and Universidad Diego Portales’ commitment to critical research and the advancement of knowledge. Through this initiative, Universidad Diego Portales (UDP) in Chile seeks to cultivate and sustain the highest standards of disciplinary and professional excellence, reaffirming its dedication to pluralism, the promotion of critical thinking, and the protection of the intellectual autonomy of its academic community.
Call for nominations
The Diego Portales University Humanities Book Award is presented at each LASA International Congress for an outstanding book published in the humanities for the 2027 award must have been published between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026. It will also take into consideration any cutting-edge studies that experiment with innovative approaches within the expanded field of the humanities. Anthologies of selections by several authors are not eligible.
Books will be judged on originality of research, quality of analysis and writing, and the significance of their contribution to the study of Latin America and the Caribbean. Books may be nominated by LASA members, publishers, or their own authors, provided they are members of LASA.
Nominations for the Diego Portales University Humanities Book Award must be submitted electronically. Please fill out the award submission form by September 21, 2026.
By January 2027, the committee will select a winning book. The award will be announced at the LASA2027 Welcome Ceremony, and the awardee will be publicly honored. In addition, the awardee will present his/her book in a panel during the Congress. LASA membership is not a requirement to receive the award.