Dr Idoya Puig

My profile

Biography

I am a Senior Lecturer in Spanish here at MMU and I teach Hispanic culture and society and Spanish language years 1 and 4. My research has focused on Cervantes and the portrayal of friendship in his works, the origin of the novel and Cervantes’s influence in Spanish contemporary literature, aspects of Golden Age culture and fascinating personal accounts of the Spanish Civil War. At present I am looking at new ways to teach Spanish Golden Age texts in the 21st century.

The most important aspect of teaching, for me, is to engage with students and build a strong academic relationship. I try to be approachable and friendly and to share in the learning process with students. I love being able to work with my students as equals and share ideas.

Words of wisdom

Being at university is a wonderful opportunity to not only get a degree but to develop as a person. My advice would be to throw yourself into lots of activities outside of study, such as volunteering or societies. These activities make a difference to your time at university and you might not get the chance again!

Academic and professional qualifications

1984-1987 BA (Hons) in Spanish, Queen Mary & Westfield College, University of London. Subsidiary subject: Italian

1987-1992 PhD: ‘Human Relationships in the Novelas ejemplares of Cervantes: An Ideological and Literary Study’, Queen Mary & Westfield College, University of London. I received a scholarship from Westfield College for the first three years of my PhD studies.

Other academic service (administration and management)

Examinations Officer
Disability Officer
Timetable coordinator for the Department and Faculty link

Languages

Spanish

Catalan

Italian

Consultancy and advisory roles

School Governor at St. Aidan’s Catholic Primary School, Wythenshawe

Membership of professional associations

Association of Hispanists of Great Britain and Ireland

Cervantes Society of America

Higher Education Academy

Projects

Senior Lecturers in Spanish, Karl McLaughlin and Idoya Puig, provided insight into the importance of Spain’s
traditional fiestas at the launch of a new exhibition of photographs at the
Instituto Cervantes by Manchester-based photographer Guille Ibañéz and the
Redeye Photography Network. 31st January 2018

video link

https://vimeo.com/258656093

Teaching

Why do I teach?

I feel that I learn all the time. I love my job because I get to be with people everyday. I also believe that your culture is an important part of who you are. It’s not only my job but my privilege to transmit Spanish culture to others.

Subject areas

Spanish

Research outputs

Cervantes and friendship, the origin of novel and Cervantes’s influence in Spanish contemporary literature; aspects of Golden Age culture; personal accounts of the Spanish Civil War; teaching literature through new media.

picture of book cover