The Research Network for Latin America is an association of historical, anthropological, cultural studies and sociological institutions of the Universities of Cologne, Bonn, Bielefeld, Münster and Hanover (see Staff). In interdisciplinary project collaboration, humanists, regional and social scientists use the concepts of ethnicity, citizenship and belonging to describe the historically specific and context-dependent forms of symbolic boundaries, ideas of order and belonging in various regions of Latin America scientifically (see Research and key question). The network’s research is implemented internationally through regular meetings and workshops (see News).

The objective of the interdisciplinary network is the the structural reinforcement and extension of the institutional framework of  research on Latin America in the field of area studies and the joint development of innovative methodological and theoretical approaches.
The regional expert network is a competent contact institution for local and foreign scientists, development cooperation institutions,  politicians and the general public, offering access to a differentiated expertise in historical and currently, controversial conflicts in Latin American development cooperation, politics, economy and culture.

Besides from the University of Cologne, the following Universities participate in the Research Network: