Rob Youngs Do Patrocinio

After an exciting three years at UCL in London studying History and Politics of the Americas with languages (French, Spanish and Portuguese), I am thrilled to be joining the MSc programme at the Latin American Centre. I am looking forward to specialising further in my areas of special interest and taking elective papers in History and Economics. 

To date, my research has largely had an interdisciplinary approach to addressing the history, politics, and economics of Latin America as a region. My final undergraduate dissertation focused on the human rights violations of the Yanomami Indigenous tribe in Brazil - specifically in terms of illegal mining ventures. This research investigated the multifaceted and complex challenges not only to the survival of their culture, language and identity but ultimately the threat posed to their very existence. 

Over the coming year, I hope to continue developing my research skills and expertise on the Global South, particularly Brazil, whilst building on recent experience gained this summer as a researcher at Oxford University’s Resilient Buildings and Landscapes Lab. This opportunity provided me with practical experience of fieldwork, and collaborative research into UNESCO World Heritage Sites whilst focusing on the importance of outstanding universal heritage, and preservation.

Alongside my studies, I am an avid reader, arts and culture enthusiast and writer. I thoroughly enjoyed representing Gale EMEA - the online publisher and academic database - as a UCL student ambassador and wrote several published academic blog posts. I also had the opportunity to collaborate on a project run by the British Museum whose valuable work of curating and preserving Indigenous culture and heritage in Brazil fascinated me. I like to get involved and seize opportunities! I also enjoy playing sports - but it can be challenging to catch me as I am often travelling!