Matias Flores

Research Focus

I use a socio-historical approach to study higher education community engagement, developed in three lines of research: 1) Recovering the history of community engagement practices in the Global South, focusing on Latin America; 2) Understanding the politics and university imaginaries of the next-generation engaged-scholars in Chile, in a context of sociopolitical change; 3) Fostering a global dialogue in higher education community engagement, reflecting in the limits and potential reproduction of neo-colonial dynamics.

Main inspirations: Paulo Freire (Brazil), Amanda Labarca (Chile), Orlando Fals Borda (Colombia).

Recent Publications (English and Spanish)

• Flores, M. G. (2024). Amanda Labarca: Obra y contribuciones manifiestas y latentes a la extensión universitaria. En-Claves Del Pensamiento, 35, 44–65. https://doi.org/10.46530/ecdp.v0i35.643

• Flores, M. G., Colacci, R., & Cano, A. (2023). Critical community engagement and the Latin American ethos: Contributions to a Global South dialogue. African Journal of Higher Education Community Engagement, 1(1), 64–82. 

• Cano Menoni, A., & Flores, M. G. (2023). Tendencias de la Extensión Universitaria en América Latina: Chile, México, Uruguay y redes regionales. InterCambios. Dilemas y transiciones de la Educación Superior, 10, 47–61. https://doi.org/10.29156/inter.10.1.5.
• Flores, M. G. (2023). Reseña / Vinculación con el Medio universitaria: Estado del arte y reflexiones en contexto. +E: Revista de Extensión Universitaria, 13(19), 1–3. https://doi.org/10.14409/extension.2023.19.Jul-Dic.e0016
• Salas, G., Millán, J. D., Flores, M. G., Albornoz, G., Ramos-Vera, J., & Winkler, M. I. (2023). The literary in Amanda Labarca: A philosophical-political project. Bajo Palabra, Revista de Filosofía, ÉPOCA N°II(32), 151–170. https://doi.org/10.15366/bp2023.32.008
• Flores, M. G., & Dougnac, P. (2023). Book Review: Textos Clave de La Extensión Crítica Latinoamericana y Caribeña (Key Readings on Critical Community Engagement in Latin America and the Caribbean). International Journal of Research on Service-Learning and Community Engagement, 11(1), 1–3. https://doi.org/10.37333/001c.91733

Professional Experience

Before starting my MS/Ph.D. studies, I worked at Universidad de Chile in the Vice-Provost Office of Community Engagement and Communications, where I coordinated the Data and Analysis Unit. In that position, I researched the experience of faculty, students, and community members, conducted quantitative studies for external accreditation, organized seminars on community engagement, and co-edited a book that gathered more than 50 community engagement projects.

I serve as Chair-elect at the International Association of Research on Service Learning and Community Engagement (IARSLCE) Graduate Student Network (GradSN). I co-founded the Grupo de Estudios en Vinculación con el Medio y Extensión Universitaria (GEVEX).

Education

• 2023 - Master of Science in Development Sociology, Cornell University
• 2014 - Bachelor’s degree in Sociology, Universidad de Chile

Awards and Honors

• Latin American and Caribbean Program (LACS) Graduate Fellow '21-'22
• Equal Opportunities Doctorate Scholarship '18, Fulbright Chile - Asociación Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo (ANID) (Beca de Doctorado Igualdad de Oportunidades)