Maida Watson

Dr. Maida Watson is a full professor of Spanish at Florida International University's Department of Modern Languages within the Steven J. Green School of International & Public Affairs. She has held roles as Department Chairperson twice and currently serves as Interim Graduate Program Director for the Spanish program. Her research focuses on 19th-century Latin American literature, Panamanian literature, Latin American theater, and pedagogical approaches to teaching Spanish for business. She has authored eight books and over 40 refereed articles, with contributions in the US, Latin America, and Europe. Her recent work explores comparative studies of 19th-century Latin American costumbrismo. Dr. Watson has secured over 21 grants and awards from prestigious organizations including the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Fulbright Hays program.

Her academic trajectory includes extensive contributions to language education, particularly in integrating cultural studies into business Spanish curricula. Publications like Nación e Identidad en el Teatro de Rogelio Sinán (2014) and Hacia una nueva lectura del costumbrismo decimonónico (2021) highlight her expertise in cultural analysis and literary criticism. Watson’s work frequently bridges historical and contemporary contexts, emphasizing identity formation and cross-cultural narratives.

• Research Highlights: Comparative costumbrismo studies, Panamanian women writers, and business language pedagogy
• Awards & Grants: Over 21 grants from organizations including NEH, the Italian Government, and the Florida Endowment for the Humanities
• Professional Roles: Department Chair (twice), Interim Graduate Director, and CIBER faculty developer

Her ongoing projects include global approaches to language education and interdisciplinary theater studies, reflecting her commitment to both scholarly rigor and applied pedagogy.