Ralph Newmark

Dr. Ralph Newmark [BSc(Hons) [Melb], Grad.Dip.Hum., BA(Hons), PhD [LTU]] is an historian and past Director of the Institute of Latin American Studies at La Trobe University in Melbourne (ILAS, 2008–2020). A media regular, discussing Latin American affairs, he also presents a 3CR community radio program on the history and music of Latin America and the Caribbean. Ralph developed the concepts of ‘aural history’ and ‘tasting history’ re: the innovative use of music and food to research and teach political, economic, and social histories. He was co-editor of JILAS ~ Journal of Iberian and Latin American Studies (now JILAR) for over a decade, and is a past President of the Association of Iberian and Latin American Studies of Australasia [AILASA] (2006–2008). A specialist in Brazilian history, especially the Getúlio Vargas era (1930s–1950s), Ralph has won an Australian Government award, a Cuban Government award, and a La Trobe University award for his pedagogic methodologies. His publications include a chapter in the book, Australia and Latin America: Challenges and opportunities in the new millennium, Canberra, ANU Press and more recently (with Heidi Zogbaum), “Stefan Zweig: A Vision of Brazil”, Journal of Iberian and Latin American Research (JILAR) 27:1, (2021) pp.37-51. He is currently an Honorary Fellow at the University of Melbourne. Dr Newmark is also a member of The ILAS Collective - with its coordinating ILAS Committee - an academic group of Latin Americanists collaborating with UniMelb and SLAS to create, organise, and convene academic events including monthly Roundtable Seminars, Symposia, and Conferences. Members of the ILAS Collective Committee.