Hispanic Studies PhD

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.

Our research interests

Staff offer specialist supervision on any approved aspect of the languages, literatures, cultures or civilisations of Spain, Portugal, Latin America, and Lusophone Africa. Our research is characterised by interdisciplinary breadth as well as geographical scope. We are particularly interested to hear from potential doctoral students working in the areas of gender, race, media histories, digital culture, migration, film studies, history, and literature, although other research areas are also welcomed. The topic and nature of the research are decided by students in consultation with staff.