EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT

Latine educators and pupils at the University of Michigan will showcase their most recent findings during the yearly Latine Research Week, which includes a sequence of discussions and poster exhibits organized by the graduate student association Puentes.

This year’s Latine Research Week is scheduled for Feb. 24-27 at the Rackham Graduate School. Whether joining in person or through livestream, registration is mandatory.

“Puentes is thrilled about the upcoming Latine Research Week, an interdisciplinary, conference-like series of events that we organize annually on campus to uplift research being carried out by Latine personnel, faculty, and students, in addition to studies significant to Latine communities,” remarked Victoria Vezaldenos, co-president of Puentes.

The focal point of LRW 2025 is “Raíces y Presencia: Growing a Legacy Together.” “Raíces,” meaning roots in Spanish, signifies the ancestral and cultural underpinnings that influence Latine scholars today, while “presencia” highlights the important role Puentes and the Latine community play within academia.

Following the achievements of prior years, LRW will host 19 sessions with over 90 presenters and anticipates welcoming more than 850 participants. In the last few years, the event has highlighted nearly 200 scholars from approximately 50 academic divisions.

Across the week, LRW will redefine conventional academic conference standards by integrating cultural narratives and celebrating shared accomplishments. Participants will have the chance to engage with interdisciplinary presentations that encompass the social sciences, humanities, and STEM fields, all examined through the prism of Latine culture and history.

“Puentes aims to purposefully honor these cultural raíces and foundations in all of our programming, particularly during Latine Research Week,” explained Viviana M. Vélez Negrón, co-president.

For Latine students, LRW serves as a venue to showcase their work and connect with a network of scholars ready to support their academic pursuits. The event strives to create a space where presence and influence resonate profoundly, ensuring that Latine voices and experiences are recognized and elevated across disciplines, stated Vezaldenos.