Belen Atienza

Belen Atienza is an Associate Professor of Hispanic Literature at Clark University, specializing in Renaissance and Baroque Spanish literature, Baroque painting, and gender studies. She holds a PhD in Romance Languages from Princeton University (2000) and a BA in Spanish Philology from the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (1993). Her research explores Cervantes, identity in early modern Spain, marginalization, and the intersections of literature, theater, and pedagogy.

Atienza is also a celebrated poet, having authored two acclaimed collections: Tierra de noches inmensas and Mi tierra es una lengua. Her work has been translated into English by Rhina P. Espaillat and published in Rattle and THINK magazines. She has participated in international poetry festivals such as Amada Libertad (El Salvador, 2020) and LaOtra FIL (Mexico, 2020).

Dr. Atienza has received the

• Barbera Faculty Award (2024)

and secured grants for academic activities, including travel to El Salvador for poetry editing and presenting at NEMLA. She co-authored Tierra de noches inmensas (2024) and founded cultural initiatives like the Tertulia Julia de Burgos in Worcester, Massachusetts.