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Animal spirit tales transmit historical trauma, resistance in Dominican Republic
The baka/bacá, errant spirits on the Caribbean island of Hispaniola that turn humans into animals through sorcery, are the subject of Robin Derby's new book, “Bêtes Noires."
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Historian Robin Derby (left) with the cover of her new book, "Bêtes Noires." (Photo provided by Professor Derby.)
Center for Chinese Studies
Michael Berry and Chinese novelist Fang Fang win book prize
"The Running Flame" is the third work by Fang Fang that Berry has translated into English.
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Berry is director of the UCLA Center for Chinese Studies and professor of contemporary Chinese cultural studies at UCLA. (Photo: Peggy McInerny/ UCLA.)

Recent News

German consul general's visit gives UCLA class perspective on transatlantic partnerships

Consul General of Germany in Los Angeles Andrea Sasse recently visited a community-engaged course taught by UCLA professor David Kim, where she discussed issues ranging from diplomacy and intellectual curiosity to career development.

UCLA International Institute

International migration center responds to new circumstances

The new director of the Center for the Study of International Migration seeks to add new dimensions to center programming. She hopes to highlight such issues as the impact of increasingly aggressive immigration detention and deportation policies on local communities, including Los Angeles, as well as UCLA students' visceral experience of and research on these policies.

Center for Study of International Migration

Jared Diamond on warning signs – and hope – for the future of democracy

“Violence is a warning sign of a democracy that may slide into dictatorship, as well as the toleration of violence by its citizenry,” said the professor emeritus at UCLA's 11th Luskin Lecture for Thought Leadership.

UCLA International Institute

Investment expert Kathy Matsui receives the Irene Hirano Inouye Award

A founding partner of a women-managed global venture capital firm in Japan, Matsui is the third recipient of the award, which is bestowed biannually by the Paul I. and Hisako Terasaki Center for Japanese Studies.

Terasaki Center for Japanese Studies

Ensuring Indigenous priorities in knowledge creation

A new grant from the Henry Luce Foundation will strengthen a burgeoning network of Indigenous communities, nonprofit organizations and universities through Southeast and East Asia spearheaded by Stephen Acabado, director of the UCLA Center for Southeast Asian Studies.

Center for Southeast Asian Studies

Art exhibition highlights value of immigrant workers, encourages solidarity

“ICE OUT: Arte en Resistencia!”, an exhibition organized by UCLA undergraduates, opens March 10 with a panel discussion, followed by live music. It features work by Los Angeles artists Mykle Parker, Josiah O'Balles and Ernesto Yerena.

Center for Study of International Migration

UCLA forges ties with women driving global change

A panel discussion in honor of International Women's Day introduced the work of compelling global women leaders to the UCLA community, offering the latter opportunities for fruitful collaborative initiatives.

UCLA Global

More News

Faculty News

Cost of living, unequal access to opportunity both rising in LA

May 1, 2026. “Many households are struggling to meet basic living expenses,” Center for Mexican Studies Director Gaspar Rivera-Salgado told American Community Media. “For many students, the cost of living is a bigger burden than tuition... In a system where jobs and housing are geographically separated, one to two hours of daily commuting has become the norm. That loss of time directly translates into a lower quality of life.” Continue reading: Cost of living, unequal access to opportunity both rising in LA

Building connections with higher education institutions worldwide

Vice Provost Cindy Fan spoke at three major events for international education leaders this winter — the AIEA 2026 Annual Conference, the APAIE 2026 Conference and Hong Kong University Partner Day — on topics ranging from strategic plans, U.S.-China higher education dialogue, empowering women leaders and building resiliency and inclusivity in universities. Continue reading: Building connections with higher education institutions worldwide

Is the Iran War legal? It's complicated

Mar 12, 2026. Speaking to Bloomberg Law, UCLA Burkle Center Director Kal Raustiala said, “It's correct that Congress is empowered to declare war under the Constitution, but Congress has only done so five times in American history... I think in many other instances, we see Congress doing something short of a declaration, like an authorization of some kind... We obviously don't see that here. I wouldn't say its not legal." Continue reading: Is the Iran War legal? It's complicated