About the institute
The Nordic Institute of Latin American Studies conducts and promotes research and education concerning Latin America and the Caribbean. In addition, the institute’s tasks include information about current events, documentation, and library services in the area of Latin American studies. The institute is a part of Stockholm University.
Besides courses at undergraduate and advanced levels, research at the institute is multidisciplinary and primarily oriented towards the social sciences. The institute has well-established contacts with researchers and institutions in Latin American and the rest of the world.
The institute regularly arranges open lectures, panel discussions and seminars with invited guests from Sweden and abroad. Such events address current developments in Latin America with regard to economic, political, social or cultural issues.
The Latin America Library is a part of the library of Stockholm University. It is the largest social science library aimed at Latin American in the Nordic countries. It is open to the public.
Education
When attending courses in Latin American Studies you are approaching a continent that never ceases to fascinate us.
"Via Balcon" - Parque Urbano Central. La Paz, Bolivia- Foto: 56866
As a student in Latin American Studies you are probably eager to understand this dynamic region from different perspectives. The subject collects its knowledge from both social sciences and the humanities.
Our courses and programmes
Research
Photo: NILAS.
Research at the Nordic Institute of Latin American Studies reflects current concerns and tendencies on the continent. At the present, researches at the institute study themes such as economic integration; the interaction and conflicts between categories such as gender, ethnicity and class; the development of social movements; and political reforms.
Open Lectures
NILAS regularly arranges open lectures and panel discussions with Swedish and foreign researchers and experts on economic, social, cultural and political development in Latin America.
NILAS Library
NILAS library.
The Library of the Nordic Institute of Latin American Studies is a special library for social science research and Latin American studies.
We are open to the public, and literature can be borrowed, except for reference works, journals and some textbooks. We have twelve study spaces and two public computers, one of which is used exclusively for searches of the library catalogue.
History of the Institute
The origins of the Nordic Institute of Latin American Studies (LAIS) go back to the foundation of the Ibero-American Institute, with library, at the Stockholm School of Economics, on November 30, 1951.
President Astrid Söderbergh Widding during NILAS inauguration. Foto: Rickard Kilström
Last updated: 2025-11-03
Source: Nordic Institute of Latin American Studies