The Centre of Latin American Studies is delighted to congratulate Evan Grandidge de Paz and Vedanitya Dharwar, students on the 2025–26 MPhil in Latin American Studies, who have each received two Simón Bolívar Prizes.
Evan Grandidge de Paz
Evan received the prize for Best Essay in the Social Sciences for:
Embodied in the Landscape: Memories of conflict in the Sondondo Valley, Peru
He also received the prize for Best Dissertation in the Humanities for:
The Return Journey: Art, Objects and Architectural Influences from the Colonial Americas in Iberian Spain
Describing his dissertation, Evan wrote:
“My dissertation was titled 'The Return Journey: Art, Objects and Architectural Influences from the Colonial Americas in Iberian Spain'. I explored how Colonial American objects were integrated into 18th century Spanish rural contexts, focusing on the collection of the Casona de Tudanca in Cantabria, the house of a return migrant from Peru.”
Commenting on receiving the prizes, Evan said:
“I am really grateful that my work has been recognised for the Simón Bolivar Prize. I have found the MPhil course very fulfilling and my essays and dissertation benefitted massively from the thoughtful and supportive supervision I received as well as from the vibrant intellectual atmosphere of the wider CLAS community.”
Vedanitya Dharwar
Veda received the prize for Best Essay in the Humanities for:
The Labouring Body and The Politics of Impossibility in Roma
She also received the prize for Best Dissertation in the Social Sciences for:
“In Perpetuity”. The Chronopolitics of Panama Canal Construction (1903-1915)
Describing her dissertation, Veda wrote:
“My dissertation sketched out a politics of time (chronopolitics) produced by the Panama Canal project's reordering of Panamanian society and environment, examining how the experiences of migrant labourers engaged with the project's obsession with acceleration in disparate ways.”
Commenting on receiving the prizes, Veda said:
“Receiving these prizes is such a high honour which would not have been possible without the help of my supervisors, Dr Grace Livingstone and Maite Conde, who were both so passionate, dedicated and encouraging throughout. A period of fieldwork in Panama, generously supported by the faculty, was an immense highlight and I am indebted to the kindness -- and company -- of those who made my research, and time at Cambridge, so enjoyable.”
CLAS warmly congratulates Evan and Veda on their achievements!
Explore the Simón Bolívar Prizes and previous recipients here.
Photographs: Evan Grandidge de Paz by Miranda Fitzpatrick; Vedanitya Dharwar courtesy of Vedanitya Dharwar.