Center for Latin American and Latinx Studies Check out the new Penn-Mellon Just Futures "Dispossessions in the Americas" (DIA) website!
About the Project:
Dispossessions in the Americas:The Extraction of Bodies, Land, and Cultural Heritage from La Conquista to the Present (DIA)
Systemic racism and structural inequities are deeply rooted in the dispossession of Indigenous, Latinx, and Afro-descendant populations. From colonial encounters to the present day, these communities have been deprived of land, natural resources, cultural heritage, rights, and freedoms—losses often legitimized by colonial and patriarchal values, and institutional forces. The Dispossessions in the Americas project (DIA) critically examines these histories while also identifying models for restoration and reparative justice, emphasizing both material and ideological forms of repossession.
Dispossessions in the Americas (DIA) is a joint research project that brings together more than seven departments and centers across the School of Arts and Sciences and the Perelman School of Medicine at Penn under a grant from the Mellon Foundation. It represents a truly interdisciplinary collaboration that has led to the establishment of partnerships between Penn and a wide range of local and international institutions and communities in 12 countries of the Americas.
Our interdisciplinary research project documents some of the territorial, embodied, and cultural heritage dispossessions in the Americas from 1492 to the present, as well as processes of resistance and recovery. A wide array of the products of our collective work is found in our public website: dia.upenn.edu.
To learn more about the DIA project, download factsheet here. For the full press release with all participants and projects, please visit here.
Key Contacts:
• Principal Investigator (PI): Tulia Falleti (falleti@upenn.edu)
• Grant Manager: Vivian D. Rodríguez-Rocha (vdrr@upenn.edu)
The DIA Website
The "Dispossessions in the Americas" (DIA) website, hosted by the University of Pennsylvania and designed and developed in collaboration with Element 84, serves as a comprehensive educational platform dedicated to documenting and exploring the multifaceted histories of dispossession experienced by Indigenous, Afro-descendant, gender non-conforming and vulnerable populations across the Americas. Structured around six thematic layers—bodies, land, cultural heritage, artistic production, education, and mapping—the site offers users the flexibility to delve into each theme individually or examine their intricate intersections. This thematic approach is enhanced by the integration of geospatial technologies, enabling users to geographically navigate and contextualize the content, thereby fostering a deeper understanding of the spatial dimensions of dispossession.
Beyond its rich repository of narratives and research presented in accessible language, the DIA website functions as a dynamic educational resource. It provides a curated curriculum specifically designed for teaching about dispossessions in the Americas, tailored for both two-year and four-year higher-education institutions. Additionally, the platform houses extensive catalogues: one featuring historical and contemporary maps of the continent displaying Indigenous and Afro-descendant territorial presence and occupation, and another showcasing a collection of artworks from 15 international exhibitions that focus on histories of dispossession and resistance. Recognizing the diverse audience it serves, the website adheres to 'mobile first' and accessibility standards, ensuring full bilingual support in Spanish and English upon launch. This commitment to accessibility acknowledges the significant portion of its audience in Latin America, where mobile devices are more prevalent than computers. The DIA website is poised to evolve continually, with regular updates incorporating new content produced throughout the duration of the grant and beyond, solidifying its role as a vital educational tool for both U.S. and international audiences.
DIA Website Quick Facts
• A multidisciplinary initiative coordinated by professors and researchers from the
School of Arts and Sciences and the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, with instrumental support from its Center of Latin American and Latinx Studies and the Cultural Heritage Center.
• A transdisciplinary project developed through a collaborative network of scholars, artists, activists, and professionals from across the Americas.
• The website offers content in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, reflecting its
commitment to accessibility and its engagement with diverse linguistic communities. Educators can access a 12-week curricula and teaching materials designed to facilitate discussions on topics such as colonialism, Indigenous rights, and cultural heritage.
• Housed within the University of Pennsylvania with support from the Mellon Foundation. Desing and development by Element 84.