Teresa Witcombe

Teresa Witcombe is a Research Fellow at St John's College, University of Oxford, and holds a British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowship. Her academic journey began at St John’s College, Oxford, where she earned a BA in History, followed by a Masters at the Sorbonne Paris-IV and the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales. After working at UNESCO, she completed her PhD in History at the University of Exeter in 2019. She has been affiliated with institutions including the CSIC-CCHS and the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid during her Leverhulme Trust-funded postdoctoral research. Currently, she teaches European and World History (1000-1300), Disciplines of History, and supervises the MSt: History, Sources and Historiography.

Education:

• BA in History (St John’s College, Oxford)
• Masters at Sorbonne Paris-IV and École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales
• PhD in History (University of Exeter, 2019)

Her research focuses on the religious, cultural, and intellectual history of medieval Iberia, particularly Muslim-Christian relations, translation across frontiers, and religious identity formation. She has explored the career of Bishop Maurice of Burgos, investigated 'images of Islam' in Castilian liturgical texts, and analyzed Latin translations of the Qur’an. Her current British Academy-funded project examines interreligious slavery and captivity in 12th-13th century Iberia, emphasizing its societal impacts and legal frameworks. She uses diverse sources, including archival documents and liturgical records, to bridge historical and interdisciplinary perspectives.

Scientific Awards:

• British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowship (2022–present)
• Leverhulme Trust Research Award (postdoctoral period in Madrid)

Advising and Grants: While no formal advisees are listed, her research projects have been supported by major grants. She has collaborated with institutions like CSIC-CCHS and the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid during Leverhulme-funded work and currently works under British Academy funding. Her interdisciplinary approach integrates historical and social science methodologies to address themes of cultural exchange and conflict.

Labs/Teams: Collaborates with the Centre for Socio-Legal Studies (CSIC-CCHS, Madrid) and the Woolf Institute (University of Cambridge), where she delivered a webinar on medieval interfaith translation dynamics in 2020.