Max Doppelbauer

Max Doppelbauer is a Senior Lecturer in Hispanic Linguistics and Spanish at the Department of Romance Studies, University of Vienna. His academic career spans over two decades with a focus on sociolinguistics, language policy, and the linguistic landscape of the Ibero-Romance region and its connections to Africa. He teaches Spanish language courses, regional studies, and linguistics seminars with special attention to Spanish in Africa and Equatorial Guinean literature.

Education:

• Studied Romance Studies (Spanish/Portuguese with Catalan) at the University of Vienna
• Doctorate in Philosophy from the University of Vienna (2006)

Doppelbauer's research explores the theoretical foundations of sociolinguistics as complex systems, the integration of artificial intelligence in language teaching, and language policy in the postcolonial context. His work particularly focuses on Spanish in Africa, literature from Equatorial Guinea, and the languages of Roma communities on the Iberian Peninsula. He examines how linguistic diversity interacts with cultural identity, colonial legacies, and contemporary political realities, with significant contributions to understanding minority language situations in Spain, North Africa, and postcolonial contexts.

His recent publications demonstrate a growing interest in postcolonial language policy in Africa, particularly regarding Equatorial Guinea, and the application of artificial intelligence in language education. Doppelbauer's scholarly output shows consistent engagement with urban multilingualism, minority language rights, and the intersection of language with social exclusion, reflecting his interdisciplinary approach that bridges linguistics, cultural studies, and political science.

Organizational Leadership:

• Editor-in-Chief of Europa Ethnica (since 2003)
• Scientific advisory board member of THESAVRVS and PUBLICACIONES
• Member of PEN Club, Vienna Data Science Group, and German Romance Studies Association
• Founder of Hispanoafricana Platform and organizer of the annual Semana de Literatura Guineoecuatoriana

Doppelbauer has organized numerous academic conferences and symposia on topics ranging from Roma languages to postcolonial literature. His work with the Anxiety Culture Project at Kiel University demonstrates interdisciplinary reach beyond traditional linguistic studies. As a senior lecturer, he has supervised multiple research projects and mentored students in Hispanic linguistics and regional studies.

Through the Hispanoafricana Platform, Doppelbauer has established a vibrant research community examining the complex cultural, linguistic, and historical connections between Iberia and Africa. His leadership in organizing the annual Semana de Literatura Guineoecuatoriana since 2009 has created a significant space for Equatorial Guinean literary voices in European academia, fostering cross-cultural dialogue and academic exchange.