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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 26 May 2016
Current research using near-infrared techniques for investigating stellar populations in massive Galactic star clusters is reviewed. In particular, I discuss in some detail a survey of obscured Galactic Giant H ii (GH ii) regions and the associated stellar clusters embedded in them. The regions have been selected as the most luminous radio continuum sources. This selection criteria has the consequence that the observed clusters are among the youngest massive star clusters in the Galaxy. The emergent stellar populations are further studied through near-infrared spectroscopy of the brighter members, a number of which are young stellar objects with signatures of dense circumstellar material which might arise from in or out-flows, or in disks. New results from 8m class telescopes employing velocity resolved near-infrared spectroscopy and high angular resolution mid-infrared imaging hold great promise for future detailed investigations.