American University announces Prof. Ernesto Castañeda as the next director of AU’s Center for Latin American and Latino Studies, effective January 1, 2023. A university-wide center, CLALS engages scholars and practitioners to promote cutting-edge multidisciplinary research and enrich understanding of Latin American and Latino communities in the United States. 

“We are delighted to see Dr. Castañeda continue his career at American University as director of the Center for Latin American and Latino Studies,” said Provost Peter Starr. “He brings to the role an exceptional scholarly record, expertise in public engagement, and a deep commitment to collaborative research.”

Castañeda is an expert on immigration, inequality, social movements, urban life, and health inequities. He joined the AU community in 2015 and serves as an associate professor of sociology in the College of Arts and Sciences. As a faculty affiliate with CLALS, Castañeda has made important contributions to several key research projects, initiatives, events, and partnerships. Castañeda is also the founding director of the Immigration Lab, which brings together faculty and students across AU to advance immigration research. A highly collaborative scholar, he maintains active affiliations with AU’s Center on Health, Risk, and Society; the Metropolitan Policy Center; the Transatlantic Policy Center; and the Antiracist Research and Policy Center.

“I am honored to lead the Center for Latin American and Latino Studies and continue building on its successes and recognition across the country and Latin America,” Castañeda said. “I also look forward to working with colleagues across disciplines throughout AU and beyond. Many thanks to Eric Hershberg for founding and building this active and exciting university-wide center and the university’s administration for their trust and support.”

Throughout his career, Castañeda has focused on transnational issues connecting the United States and Latin America. His publications include five books, 25 peer-reviewed articles, as well as numerous book chapters, special issues, reports, policy briefs, and commentaries in English and Spanish. Many of these are co-authored with senior scholars, peers, and graduate and undergraduate students. He frequently appears on international news broadcasts discussing issues regarding migration and U.S.-Latin America relations. He is also an inspiring teacher with a track record of engaging students in the research process, mentoring them toward co-authorship, publication, and awards.   

Launched in 2010, CLALS’ goals aim to empower changemakers throughout the hemisphere by giving them high quality data and analysis about Latin America, the Caribbean, and Latino communities and to raise the quality of debate and policy on and in Latin America and the Caribbean by generating and disseminating research.

Castañeda obtained his Ph.D. in sociology from Columbia University and graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with a B.A. in interdisciplinary studies. He succeeds CLALS founding director Eric Hershberg, who will step down at the end of 2022 and retire during 2023.