The Spanish sub-faculty run two research seminars, one that focuses on Medieval and Golden Age topics and one that concentrates on Modern Peninsular and Spanish American topics. Each has a convenor and each normally runs two sessions per term so that there is a fortnightly event, usually on Tuesdays of even weeks. The Spanish Research Seminar prides itself on its friendly and inclusive atmosphere.
Speakers include members of the sub-faculty, graduate students (with usually one session per term dedicated to graduate work in progress), early career researchers based in Oxford, and established academics, as well as prominent cultural figures, from further afield. The seminar is well-attended by members of the sub-faculty, with academics and graduate students from other sub-faculties and faculties, as well as members of interested student societies and the general public, also often in attendance.
Additionally, the seminar organisers take advantage of very good links with a number of Embassies and the Instituto Cervantes in London in order to bring prominent writers and intellectuals to Oxford. Each year we co-organise a Foro Cervantes with a high-profile visiting speaker. Recent speakers at the seminar and the Foro have included the following intellectuals, writers and film directors: Rosa Montero, Santiago Roncagliolo, Darío Villanueva, Jorge Edwards, Eduardo Mendoza, Sergio Raimondi, Tatiana Mazú, Jordi Amat.'
Research seminars 2026-27
Michaelmas Term
Seminars take place at Exeter College’s Cohen Quad in Walton Street (OX1 2HG) on Tuesdays of weeks 2, 6 and 8. Refreshments at 1.45pm with seminar at 2pm.
Week 2: 20th October (Ruskin Room, Cohen Quad)
- Manus O’Dwyer (The Queen’s College and Merton College, Oxford)
- Finding Time: The Poetics of Stone in Aníbal Núñez, Carlos de Oliveira, and Clara Janés
Week 5: 10th November, 5.00 pm (Main Seminar Room, Latin American Centre, 1 Church Walk)
- Joint Seminar Latin American Centre/ Sub-Faculty of Spanish.
- Mario Vargas Llosa: The Biography (title to be confirmed).
- Gerald Martin in conversation with Dominic Moran (Christ Church).
- A wine reception will follow
- This is an extra session. Please note different time and location
Week 6: 17th November (Ruskin Room, Cohen Quad)
- Lesley Wylie (All Souls College, Oxford)
- ‘Catastrophe and ruin’: Allegories of Extinction in W. H. Hudson’s Green Mansions (1904)
Week 8: 1st December (Kloppenburg Room, Cohen Quad)
- Mar García Puig
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The Spanish novelist will discuss her recently translated work: La historia de los invertebrados
Please also take note of another event organised this term to celebrate the centenary of the King Alfonso XIII Chair: on Monday 2nd November, writer Isabel Allende will be in conversation with Olivia Vázquez Medina, in the Sohmen Concert Hall, Schwarzman Centre: https://www.schwarzmancentre.ox.ac.uk/whats-on/inconversation-with-isabel-allende-dr29
The Faculty of Medieval and Modern Languages encourages vibrant, dynamic and inclusive discussions in all its seminars. Robust exchanges of ideas and the airing of differing views are welcome. Participants are asked to be mindful of the tone they use during seminars and respectful of others.
Research seminars 2025-26
Trinity Term
Hilary Term
