Lemann Center for Brazilian Studies
Welcome to the Lemann Center for Brazilian Studies!
The Lemann Center promotes the multidisciplinary study of Brazil by offering fellowships to UIUC and Brazilian students, funding faculty collaboration and research, organizing international conferences, and supporting cultural programming. Established in 2009 through a generous gift from Jorge Paulo Lemann and family, the center draws upon a half-century of sustained research and collaboration between Illinois and Brazilian scholars. To learn more, visit our About Us page.
Center Highlights and News
Tracing climate change through Brazil’s ancient rock
Brazil’s geological record offers a window into some of Earth’s most dramatic climate shifts. Rocks in the São Francisco Basin preserve evidence of “Snowball Earth” ice ages, when ice covered much of the planet, followed by periods of intense warming. Associate research scientist at the Illinois State Geological Survey, Franck Delpomdor, and colleagues at the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais are studying carbonate rocks from the basin to reconstruct how these ancient environments changed. Their research examines the processes that ended widespread glaciation and the greenhouse conditions that followed. The findings suggest that dramatic climate shifts, tectonic changes that restricted shallow inland seas, and changing nutrient supplies helped shape the conditions for early life to diversify.
Brasillinois Symposium 2026 builds stronger connection
Lasting partnerships depend on trust, dedication, and collaboration. Held last week at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, the Brasillinois Symposium brought Illinois faculty and Brazilian scholars together to strengthen existing ties and explore new opportunities in research and academic exchange. Building on the inaugural 2025 symposium at UIC, the program featured conversations on sustainable biofuels and trade, health and education, mobility-based learning, and more. Faculty also shared work connected to CONFAP and FAPESP grant programs. Brasillinois connects faculty and students across the University of Illinois System with Brazilian higher education and research institutions. These partnerships make Illinois a distinctive U.S. hub for Brazilian studie.
Panel examines Brazil’s presidential election results
The Lemann Center brought together political science scholars and the campus community to examine the presidential runoff results and their implications for Brazil’s future. Last week’s panel featured Magna Inácio of the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Juan Albarracín of the University of Illinois Chicago, and Fabrício Vasselai of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The discussion examined political divisions within Brazil, voter turnout of blank and invalid ballots, the role of social media and anti- Bolsonaro sentiment, among other factors that may have contributed to the shift in results between the first round and the runoff. Their complementary expertise also offered perspectives on the challenges facing the incoming administration. The event provided an opportunity to consider these developments and advance dialogue about Brazil’s political direction and its place in the world.
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