William Viestenz

William Viestenz is a Professor and Department Chair of Spanish & Portuguese Studies at the University of Minnesota. His research focuses on modern Iberian literature and culture, particularly exploring post-secularism, the sacred, environmental humanities, and neo-ruralism. He holds a B.A. from Carleton College (2000-2004) and a Ph.D. from Stanford University (2007-2011).

His work analyzes how sacred and political themes manifest in Francoist Spain's literature, linking them to contemporary post-secular debates. He has authored By the Grace of God: Francoist Spain and the Sacred Roots of Political Imagination and co-edited volumes like The New Ruralism: An Epistemology of Transformed Space and Ethics of Life: Contemporary Iberian Debates.

Recent publications engage with immunology in Catalan narratives, death's materiality in Spanish culture, and queer cinema. His scholarship bridges literature with political theory, environmental thought, and cultural identity, reflecting a commitment to interdisciplinary analysis.