Barbara Leon

Dr. Barbara Leon is a Lecturer in Film, Visual Culture, Spanish, and Latin American Studies at the University of Aberdeen. She holds a PhD in History of Art & Musicology from the University of Oviedo (2020) and advanced qualifications in Higher Education Teaching (2023). Her academic journey includes roles as a Teaching Fellow (2021), Visiting Student (2016), and Teaching Assistant (2017) at Aberdeen. Her research focuses on cultural identity, visual culture, and the Eurovision Song Contest as a lens for analyzing socio-political narratives.

Her pioneering course Eurovision: Media, Memory, Euphoria and Identities explores the contest’s role in cultural diplomacy and national identity. She integrates immersive teaching methods, including performative lectures aligned with Eurovision themes. Her work bridges scholarship, media studies, and public engagement, having delivered keynotes on topics like Ukrainian visual heritage and Bad Bunny’s cultural legacy.

Leon’s research interests span postmodern urbanism, surrealist art, and colonialism’s impact on Puerto Rican identity. Key publications include analyses of Loreen’s transnational identity, Bad Bunny’s activism, and urban theory in Las Vegas. She has received awards for innovative teaching and research, including a 2014 Spanish Government award for academic improvement.