Luisa García-Manso

Luisa García-Manso is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Languages, Literature and Communication at Utrecht University's Faculty of Humanities, specializing in Spanish language and Modern and Contemporary Literature. She joined Utrecht University in 2017 after completing a postdoctoral fellowship at Universität Passau in Germany under the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation.

Her educational background includes a PhD in Hispanic Philology from Universidad de Oviedo (awarded the Doctorate Award in Arts and Humanities), a Master's degree in Gender Equality Studies, and a five-year Bachelor's degree in Hispanic Philology. Her doctoral research focused on the construction of collective identities in historical drama written by women in Spain (1975-2010).

García-Manso's research explores the intersection of Gender Studies and Contemporary Spanish Theatre and Culture, addressing social challenges related to equality, diversity, and inclusion. She investigates how cultural representations influence society by endorsing, challenging, or transforming perceptions of identity. Her current project examines cultural institutions and theatre participation's role in empowering communities and building cohesive societies.

Her scholarly work demonstrates consistent focus on feminist theatre, Spanish Republican exile literature, and contemporary Spanish drama, with particular attention to Lola Blasco's work, political resistance through theatre, and transcultural memory. She frequently publishes on how theatre engages with migration, identity, and social justice issues.

Scientific Awards:

• Alexander von Humboldt Research Fellowship
• Doctorate Award in Arts and Humanities of the Universidad de Oviedo
• NWO's Aspasia programme: Diversity funds for talented female researchers (2021)

As an educator, García-Manso supervises BA and MA theses and teaches courses including Spanish Theatre, Exile and Memory, and Research Skills in Spanish Literature. She has participated in five Spanish national research projects on gender, cultural industries, and contemporary women writers. García-Manso is actively involved with research networks including InGenArTe (Gender Studies in Cultural Industries and Performing Arts), the International Research and Learning Network 'Memory and Narration', FENIX (Network for Research on Women Exiles & Migrants), and The Memory Studies Association.