Doctoral student from France on his experience at the LAC
I am a PhD student in Hispanic and Latin American Studies at Université Grenoble-Alpes (ILCEA4/CERHIS), under the supervision of Almudena Delgado-Larios and Daniel Rojas. My research focuses on the relationship between the Catholic Church and the agrarian question in Colombia during the 1960s.
More specifically, my thesis aims to trace a political history of the Church’s social action in Colombia’s agrarian reform by exploring two main hypotheses: first, that the Church’s role in the debate on agrarian issues reflects the institutional power it held until the early 1960s while also revealing internal divisions within the Church itself; and second, that discussions surrounding the social issue of land, along with local and regional contexts, influenced theological reflection and Catholic positions, fostering the emergence of a “social” theology with a strong Latin American perspective. My research adopts a transatlantic and transnational perspective. Although primarily rooted in history, it incorporates an interdisciplinary approach that draws on sociology, anthropology, political science, theology, and law. My work relies on a documentary corpus from both Colombian and European archives, including the General Archive of the Nation in Bogotá, the Apostolic Archive and the Secretariat of State Archive in Vatican City.
I had the privilege of accessing the Latin American Centre (LAC) in Oxford in November 2024, thanks to a research grant awarded as part of the GATES MaCI Project, which promotes outgoing mobility between Université Grenoble-Alpes and the Maison Française d’Oxford (MFO). The aim of this program is to foster the creation of a multigenerational and internationally influential research community in the arts, humanities, and social sciences, promoted by UGA’s Maison de la Création et de l’Innovation.
Crossing the threshold of 1 Church Walk allowed me to enter a small department of global importance, a community of scholars that encourages dialogue and knowledge exchange, where new academic and personal international connections can be forged. Attending LAC for several weeks allowed me to meet researchers from all over the world and specialists in Latin American studies with whom I could discuss future projects, assess my research progress, explore new avenues of reflection and peer review my work. I also had the opportunity to listen to their presentations, particularly in the History Seminar, followed by the indispensable informal post-seminar dinner, which allows discussions to continue and strengthens the sense of community. Moreover, I had access to numerous works preserved in the center’s library and, most importantly, to the documents housed in the small yet incredibly rich archive, which enabled me to expand the documentary corpus of my thesis with sources on Colombian history that will undoubtedly enrich my academic work.
As a research fellow, I had the opportunity to access the libraries and facilities of the University of Oxford: the MFO Library (a wonderful place to study and write), the Radcliffe Camera, the Upper Reading Room of the Bodleian Library, the Social Sciences Library, and the Taylor Institution Library, as well as visit its ancient and prestigious Colleges. In Oxford, I began the writing phase of my thesis, and there is probably no more stimulating and unique place for this task. The university offers an excellent environment for study, with an impressive array of scientific and cultural events. The impression it has left on me is extremely positive.
Regarding the city of Oxford, I was particularly fascinated by the contrast between its rich history and the young, vibrant energy brought in by the students. Beyond academic activities and spaces, I also had the opportunity to take advantage of what the city has to offer: its museums, its large parks, and, of course, its pubs, which have been frequented by great intellectuals and writers in the past and continue to be today.
My experience at LAC, at MFO, and in Oxford in general has had a profoundly positive impact on my life, not only as a student, and represents a memory that I will always treasure.
Michele Merenda, Grenoble-Alpes University (ILCEA4/CERHIS)
