Maria Carbonetti

Maria Carbonetti is a Lecturer of Spanish at the University of British Columbia (UBC), affiliated with the Department of French, Hispanic and Italian Studies within the Faculty of Arts. She holds a Licenciatura en Letras from Universidad Nacional del Sur, Argentina (with specialization in Linguistics) and a Ph.D. in Hispanic Studies from UBC (2004). Her research focuses on cultural discourse analysis, particularly examining the role of elite magazines like Plus Ultra in early 20th-century Argentina. She explores themes of cultural distinction, modernity, and power dynamics in aristocratic communities.

Dr. Carbonetti teaches intermediate-to-advanced Spanish language courses, including translation (Spanish 401) and coordinates conversational and advanced Spanish programs. Since 2010, she has pioneered community-based learning initiatives through Spanish for Community, linking students with local and international Hispanic communities. She has led projects like the SOTL Seed Fund-supported experiential learning initiative in conversational Spanish courses.

Her research interests span Linguistics, Cultural Studies, and Community Engaged Learning. Notable publications include analyses of Argentine cinema (e.g., María Luisa Bemberg’s work) and literary criticism. She received the prestigious 2019 Killam Teaching Prize and multiple doctoral fellowships during her academic career.

• Education:
  • Licenciatura en Letras, Universidad Nacional del Sur, Argentina (with Linguistics specialization)
  • Ph.D. in Hispanic Studies, UBC (2004)
• Awards:
  • 2019 Killam Teaching Prize
  • Multiple University Graduate Fellowships (UBC, 1998–2003)
  • C.D. Howe Foundation Doctoral Award (2001–2002)

Her community initiatives emphasize applied language learning and collaboration with local organizations. She continues to contribute to Hispanic cultural studies through both research and pedagogical innovation.