The LAIS Program would like to congratulate Professor Giovanni Batz, Associate Professor of Chicano Studies and head of the CLAIR Central American Studies Lab, on his recently being awarded the Thomas McGann Book Prize in Modern Latin American History! His accomplishment was also featured in The Current. The Rocky Mountain Council on Latin American Studies recognized Professor Batz with this award on April 12, in Ottawa, Canada, at their 72nd Annual Conference.
The prize committee emphazied that Professor Batz made important methodological and theoretical contributions with his work, calling for theory grounded in the historical actors too often seen as conquered peoples. The Cotzal Municipality and Ixil Maya communities that he built relationships with were central to his research. Professor Batz thanked the Ancestral Authorities and communities for their support and collaboration on his publication.
As an example of decolonized academia, it is wonderful to see Professor Batz’ work elevated; this award for The Fourth Invasion was well-earned. Congratulations on this recognition!
