Matthew Hilborn

Dr. Matthew Hilborn is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at University College Dublin's School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics, supported by the Irish Research Council. He specializes in Spanish Film Studies, with a focus on contemporary cinema, humor, national identity, and the sociocultural impact of romantic comedies in post-2000 Spain. His research extends to transnational media, particularly British screen content in Europe via streaming platforms, as part of the AHRC-funded 'Screen Encounters with Britain' project. He has held academic positions at King's College London and Durham University, and is actively engaged in teaching, public outreach, and interdisciplinary scholarship.

• BA, University of Oxford
• MA, University of Durham
• PhD, University of Durham

Matthew's research explores the intersections of humor, genre, and national identity in Spanish cinema, challenging perceptions of romantic comedies as mere escapism. He investigates how films reflect and reshape societal norms around gender, sexuality, and nationhood, particularly during periods of crisis. His work also delves into media industries, VOD platforms, and the global circulation of British content, using mixed-methods approaches including textual analysis, audience research, and catalogue studies. He is particularly interested in how streaming algorithms and platform interfaces shape cultural encounters.

His recent publications include a monograph on Spanish film comedy and several journal articles on VOD research and humor in literature. He has also co-edited and translated a book on Ophelia’s cultural legacy. His podcast Palomitas brings Spanish cinema to broader audiences, reflecting his commitment to public engagement. His research is supported by grants from the Irish Research Council and AHRC, and he has won awards from the Association of Hispanists of Great Britain and Ireland.

• Publication Prize, AHGBI
• Early Career Researcher Award, AHGBI
• Dolores Orla Merino Prize, Oxford
• Benefactor's Prize, Oxford
• Abbott Fund, Oxford

Matthew has supervised and taught across Hispanic Studies and Film/TV Studies, with experience in curriculum design and public speaking education. He has advised on film festival programming and contributed to impact-driven research projects. His leadership roles in academic conferences and committees highlight his active participation in the scholarly community. He has no named students listed but welcomes PhD and MA proposals in his areas of expertise. He is involved in media industries research and digital scholarship through his podcast and online engagement.