José Manuel Sáenz Rotko

José Manuel Sáenz Rotko is a full Professor and Associate Dean International at the Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, Department of International Relations, Comillas Pontifical University in Madrid. His academic journey includes theology and Hispanic Studies degrees from Vienna, Graz, and Salamanca, followed by a Master's in International Relations from Complutense University of Madrid and a PhD in Theology (Church History-International History) from the University of Graz.

His research focuses on 20th-century International Relations, Spanish foreign policy, Cold War dynamics, and Vatican diplomacy. Notable contributions include analyzing Franco-era Spain’s positioning during WWII and Cold War narratives. He has directed undergraduate programs in International Relations at Comillas and served as a visiting scholar in Germany (2019-2020).

As a member of Spain’s leading research groups GHistRI and CEHRI, he explores Spain’s role in global affairs. His publications address topics like Spain-Germany relations, Vatican diplomacy during the Spanish Civil War, and contemporary geopolitical conflicts. He holds ANECA certifications for university teaching and a six-year research productivity grant (2017-2022).

Teaching spans 22 years at Comillas, covering International History, EU policy, and current global issues. His work bridges academic leadership with impactful research on diplomacy, conflict history, and curricular innovation in International Relations.