Dr. Aaraón Díaz Mendiburo
Research Areas
Advancing Research on North America
through the UA -UNAM Binational Consortium
The College of Social and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Arizona welcomed Dr. Aaraón Díaz Mendiburo, research professor at UNAM’s Center for Research on North America (CISAN), as a visiting scholar from March 4 to March 7, 2025. His visit was supported by the UA-UNAM Binational Research Consortium on Migration, Human Rights, and Human Security and reflects the continued strength of collaboration between both institutions.
During his residency, Dr. Díaz Mendiburo worked closely with Dr. Cristina Devereaux Ramírez, Director of the Department of English, and Dr. Luis E. Coronado Guel, Director of SBS Mexico Initiatives. Together, they engaged in joint research activities exploring new avenues for collaboration and the development of a future research proposal focused on migration in the Sonora–Arizona border region. His work also included consulting specialized library and digital resources at the University of Arizona and identifying potential external funding opportunities for upcoming projects.
Dr. Díaz Mendiburo actively participated in meetings with faculty, students, consular representatives, and leadership from UNAM Tucson, strengthening institutional ties and identifying opportunities for continued collaboration. He also shared his research with students in the course MAS 150: Popular Culture, Media, and Latina/o Identities, where he examined media representations of migrant agricultural workers in Quebec, Canada. In a second session, he presented his documentary Migranta con M de Mamá, sparking discussion on labor migration through international agreements such as the Mexico–Canada Temporary Agricultural Workers Program.
Dr. Arnoldo Bautista, Dr. Catalina Stern (UNAM Tucson Director), Dr. Aaraón Díaz Mendiburo, and Dr. Luis Coronado Guel at UNAM Tucson Casita.
SBS Mexico Inistiatives
In addition, his collaboration with Dr. Devereaux Ramírez provided valuable methodological insights for his ongoing research on rural women in Quebec. Meetings with UNAM Tucson leadership further explored opportunities to showcase his documentary and a photographic exhibition titled Cannabis Diversities in North America, as well as to build stronger institutional partnerships.
As part of his broader research agenda, Dr. Díaz Mendiburo conducted field visits to local cannabis dispensaries in Tucson to connect with activists for his project on rewriting cannabis narratives through the arts. This initiative aims to document testimonies of activists across North America through video interviews, which will serve as the foundation for a series of documentary productions and academic outputs.
The visit also laid the groundwork for future workshops, publications, and documentary projects, further expanding the reach of his research. As a result of his residency, Dr. Díaz Mendiburo was granted Designated Campus Scholar status, providing continued access to University of Arizona library resources and databases.
Dr. Díaz Mendiburo’s visit exemplifies the impact of the UA-UNAM Binational Consortium in fostering meaningful academic exchange and advancing collaborative research on critical issues such as migration, human rights, and human security.
Dr. Aaraón Díaz Mendiburo at the Old Main
SBS Mexico Initiatives