The University of Texas at Austin is one of the leading institutions in the world for Latin American studies. It has a wide variety of experts available with backgrounds ranging from politics to energy policy to sociology, who can provide necessary context on the recent death of Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez.
Take a look at the experts listed below and feel free to contact them for an interview or additional information. If you have any additional questions, contact UT Media Relations at 512-471-3151.
Kurt Weyland, professor, Department of Government, College of Liberal Arts
Professor Weyland’s research interests focus on democratization, market reform, social policy and policy diffusion, and populism in Latin America. He has drawn on a range of theoretical and methodological approaches, including insights from cognitive psychology, and has done extensive field research in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Peru, and Venezuela.
He can be reached at 512-502-0867 (please do not call after 9 pm CST) or kweyland@austin.utexas.edu.
Jeremi Suri, professor, LBJ School of Public Affairs and College of Liberal Arts
Suri is an international historian of the modern world, fascinated by the connections between peoples, ideas, and societies. His work focuses on policy-making, governance, social movements, and cultural (mis)understandings.
He can be reached at 608-213-3552 or suri@austin.utexas.edu.
Jorge Piñon, Director, Latin America and Caribbean Program, Jackson School of Geosciences
Piñon is an expert on the geopolitics of oil and natural gas in Latin America and the Caribbean, including resource nationalism in Venezuela. He can speak on the regional energy implications of Chavez’ death for the Americas, including Cuba and the U.S.
He can be reached at 512-232-4988 or jrpinon@austin.utexas.edu.
Raul Madrid, associate professor, Department of Government, College of Liberal Arts
Professor Madrid’s current research focuses on the emergence of ethno-populist parties in the Andean nations. His book (in progress) seeks to explain under what circumstances parties based in Latin America’s indigenous movements succeed. He also continues to study policy reform in Latin America, especially pension reform.
He can be reached at 512-371-1816 or rmadrid@austin.utexas.edu.
