Francisco Javier Ponce Marrero

Francisco Javier Ponce Marrero is a Professor in the Department of Historical Sciences at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, specializing in Contemporary History within the School of History, Geography and Arts. He is an active member of the GIR University Research Group in International Relations and has established himself as a leading scholar in the study of Spanish neutrality during World War I and related historical topics.

His research interests span multiple interconnected fields:

• Contemporary History, with particular emphasis on the 20th century
• International Relations during periods of global conflict
• Spanish neutrality policies during World War I
• War propaganda and its impact on public opinion
• European imperialism and colonial history
• The historical significance of the Canary Islands in international affairs
• Political developments in Spain during the Franco regime

Professor Ponce Marrero's recent publications demonstrate a consistent focus on maritime aspects of World War I, particularly examining naval operations around the Canary Islands and Spain's position as a neutral power. His work bridges military history, diplomatic history, and the study of propaganda, offering nuanced perspectives on how neutral countries navigated complex international pressures during global conflicts. His research has appeared in respected journals such as the International Journal of Maritime History and Mariners Mirror.

His notable achievements include:

• Principal investigator for multiple competitive research projects funded by the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness and the University of Las Palmas
• Extensive publication record with numerous book chapters and journal articles
• Supervision of numerous undergraduate theses and doctoral dissertations

As a supervisor, Professor Ponce Marrero has guided at least 16 students through their academic research, with thesis topics ranging from German unification to Cold War photojournalism, censorship in Franco's Spain, and the development of communism in Romania. His current research project 'Humanitarian Aid During the Great War: A Comparative Study' (2024-2025) continues his exploration of Spain's role during World War I.

He maintains an active research laboratory focused on international relations history, with particular expertise in neutrality studies during wartime. His team collaborates with international scholars on comparative studies of neutral countries during global conflicts.