Modern Languages and Cultures continues to extend research activity over a broad range of areas in Iberian and Latin American Studies. The School is now at the forefront of high profile research in literary, historical, linguistic and cultural studies. Our research emphasizes our understanding of ‘Hispanic studies’ in the broadest sense, as relating to the multiple geographical and linguistic contexts that make up the Hispanic and Lusophone worlds.

Overview

We are one of the longest established and most broadly-based centres for the study of Spanish, Portuguese and Latin-American Studies in the UK. We are one of the few centres to have staff whose expertise covers Basque, Catalan, Galician, Portuguese and Spanish (both Castilian and Latin American Spanish), emphasising the global dimensions of language-based research. Our interests provide a rich interdisciplinary environment for research and learning.

Research activity in Hispanic Studies covers a broad range of areas in Iberian and Latin American Studies. Our research is at the forefront of developments in literary, historical, linguistic and cultural studies, and we are the home to major journals, including the Bulletin of Hispanic Studies, the Bulletin of Contemporary Hispanic Studies and Modern Languages Open. Our research emphasizes our understanding of ‘Hispanic studies’ in the broadest sense, as relating to the multiple geographical and linguistic contexts that make up the Hispanic and Lusophone worlds.

We also work closely with local and regional cultural organizations such as FACT, the National Museums Liverpool, the Tate Gallery and the Bluecoat and have been supported by public institutions such as, the Instituto Cervantes and the Instituto Camões leading to public events on Latin American digital art, Brazilian popular culture, and Spanish and Latin American film and literature.

Prospective postgraduate students can apply for AHRC funding and the Section hosts the Language-Based Area Studies Pathway of the ESRC’s North West Social Sciences Doctoral Training Partnership for social science research in Latin American Studies.

Research themes

Our research themes are:

• Spanish Linguistics, with a particular focus on Sociolinguistics
• Medieval Spanish Literature and Culture
• Contemporary Spanish Literature and Culture
• Development and new forms of Poetry in Spain
• Spanish and Latin American Cinemas