معرفی
Dr. Emily Colbert Cairns is a Professor and Chair of Modern Languages at Salve Regina University, where she also holds the distinction of being a McAuley Scholar. Her academic expertise focuses on the early modern period in Spain and the transatlantic empire (1500-1700s), with particular emphasis on conversos, crypto-Jews, and women and gender studies during this historical era.
Dr. Colbert Cairns' educational background includes:
- B.A. in Spanish and Mathematics from Hamilton College (2006)
- M.A. in Spanish from the University of California, Irvine (2008)
- Ph.D. in Spanish from the University of California, Irvine (2012)
Her research explores the intersections of religious diversity, gender studies, and cultural history in early modern Iberia and its colonial territories. Dr. Colbert Cairns examines how historical themes of religious otherization, women's experiences, and converso identities resonate with contemporary social movements such as MeToo and NotOneLess. Her work particularly focuses on how crypto-Jewish communities maintained religious practices under the Spanish Inquisition, with special attention to the role of women in preserving religious traditions through figures like Queen Esther. She also investigates early modern maternity practices, breastfeeding, wetnursing, and the spatial constraints placed on women's lives during this period, connecting these historical issues to contemporary discussions about women's rights and religious freedom.
Dr. Colbert Cairns' publication record reveals a consistent scholarly trajectory examining gender, religion, and cultural identity in early modern Spain and its colonies. Her work demonstrates particular expertise in analyzing inquisitorial documents to uncover the lived experiences of marginalized groups, especially women and conversos. A significant thread throughout her research is the examination of how religious minorities, particularly crypto-Jews, navigated their identities within Catholic Spain and its colonial territories, often using biblical narratives like that of Esther as frameworks for understanding their experiences.
Among her professional recognitions, Dr. Colbert Cairns has been honored as a McAuley Scholar at Salve Regina University. She serves on the board of the Touro Synagogue Foundation and is an active member of GEMELA: Grupo de estudios sobre la mujer en España y las Américas (pre-1800), demonstrating her commitment to scholarly communities focused on women's history in the Iberian world. Her work has received media coverage in The Torah.com and The Providence Journal.
Dr. Colbert Cairns is actively involved in mentoring students and contributing to the academic community through her leadership as department chair. Her engagement with local community organizations like Conexión Latina reflects her commitment to connecting academic work with contemporary social issues. Her research on historical religious diversity, gender roles, and women's experiences provides valuable context for understanding current social movements related to religious freedom and gender equality.
