Seventh Annual Activist Scholarship Conference at the University of Texas at Austin
Abriendo Brecha is an annual conference at the University of Texas at Austin dedicated to activist scholarship; i.e. research and creative intellectual work in alignment with communities, organizations, movements and networks working for social justice. Abriendo Brecha VII calls for a renewed discussion on the meanings and practices of activist scholarship, particularly as it relates to the challenges of the present moment. Some themes for this years conference include: Race and Inequality throughout the Americas; Environmental Justice Movements; and The Global Economic Crisis. This years conference will consist of a mixed format that includes panels, workshops, poster presentations, performances and film. Featured speakers and artists include:
- Iris MoralesActivist, filmmaker and former leading member of the Young Lords Party. (Keynote) Thursday, 5pm, Santa Rita Room
- Omi Osun Olomo/Joni JonesDirector, John. L. Warfield Center for African & African American Studies at the University of Texas at Austin. (Keynote). Friday, 12pm, Santa Rita Room
- Javier AuyeroLozano Long Professor of Latin American Sociology, University of Texas at Austin. Friday, 2pm, Texas Union Theater
- Alejandro Cerdasociologist at the Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana de México, Unidad Xochimilco; expert on autonomy in Zapatista municipailites in Chiapas. Saturday, 4pm, Chicano Culture Room
- Eli Efi former front man and founder of the politically charged Brazilian rap group DMN. Friday, 5pm, Texas Union Theater
- Hilda KurtzAssociate Professor of Geography, University of Georgia. Friday, 2pm, Texas Union Theater
- Loira Limbal (aka DJ Laylo)Hiphop artist, co-producer of award winning documentary Estilo Hip Hop. Friday, 5pm, Texas Union Theater
- Adrienne PineAssistant professor of Anthropology, American University, and author of Working Hard, Drinking Hard: On Violence and Survival in Honduras. Saturday, 4pm, Chicano Culture Room
- Max RameauCommunity organizer, writer and leader of Miamis Take Back the Land. Saturday, 4pm, Chicano Culture Room
- Alvaro Reyespost-doctoral fellow, Department of Geography, Duke University. Friday, 2pm, Texas Union Theater
- Julie Sze Associate Professor of American Studies, founding director of the Environmental Justice Project for UC Davis John Muir Institute for the Environment. Saturday, 2pm, Texas Union Theater.
Sponsored by: Division of Diversity and Community Engagement (DDCE) Community Engagement Center at The University of Texas at Austin. Cosponsors: Center for Asian American Studies, Center for Mexican American Studies, Center for Womens and Gender Studies, College of Liberal Arts, John L. Warfield Center for African & African American Studies, Mexican Center, Teresa Lozano Long Institute of Latin American Studies.
Full conference program visit: www.utexas.edu/diversity/abriendobrecha