GIGA Researcher Dr. Viviana García Pinzón Wins ADLAF Dissertation Prize

The dissertation offers an in-depth analysis of the multiscalar processes that shape local order in four peripheral cities in El Salvador and Colombia. It emphasises the significance of historical context and subnational differences in understanding the dynamics of violence and governance. Using a multidisciplinary analytical framework, Viviana García Pinzón explores why some cities have become epicenters of violent order while others have successfully controlled violence. Her work illuminates the spatiotemporal connections and conditions that enable various forms of violence in Latin America, providing new insights into the power dynamics and order-making in contemporary cities. The ADLAF Prize, awarded by the German Latin American Studies Association, recognises exceptional dissertations that make significant contributions to the field of Latin American studies. In 2024, the association awarded three prizes, with Viviana García Pinzón's dissertation taking the top honor. This accolade, accompanied by a prize of EUR 1,500, was presented at the ADLAF Conference on 6 June 2024. Dr. Viviana García Pinzón had previously received the Christiane Rajewsky Prize for the same dissertation, further highlighting the impact and excellence of her research. Viviana García Pinzón conducted her research at the GIGA, was part of our Doctoral Programme, and is now Associate at the GIGA Institute for Latin American Studies and a researcher at the Arnold Bergstraesser Institut (ABI), Freiburg. We extend our heartfelt congratulations for these remarkable achievements and for her valuable contributions to understanding the relationship between governance and violence in urban Latin America.