In recent years there has been a growing interest in researching the Spanish presence in North America, which has been the object of attention and analysis both by the media and by Spanish and international academic institutions. This interest has generated a significant editorial and scientific impact that has made it possible to delve deeper into a crucial historical period for the understanding of the relations between Spain and North America. In this context, the Franklin Institute of the University of Alcalá promotes HISPANAM; an online platform that seeks to compile and make accessible to the general public the Spanish presence and the influence of its legacy in North America through the development of a tool for dissemination and reference.
Specifically, the project seeks to highlight the impact of Spanish culture and history in North America through the creation of an online platform that will collect the traces of the Spanish presence in North America over time. The platform will bring together historical figures, events, missions, landmarks and relevant discoveries from the arrival of the first Spaniard, Ponce de Leon, in 1513 to the current territory of the United States until the cession of Florida to the United States of America in 1821. The implementation of this project will be carried out through the development of a series of entries and sections organized chronologically and alphabetically and presented in both Spanish and English.
1. Compilation of platforms, web pages, congresses, publications, organizations and foundations that have worked on the Spanish presence in North America (March 2025).
2. Definition of the project. Name, logo, image, entries, schedule. Define ESPAUSA entries, models, formats and material.
3. Development and correction of the virtual platform that will host the entries and resources that will result from the development of the project (June 2025).
4. Contact with experts from different Spanish and American universities to collaborate with the project (March-July 2025).
5. Establish an optimal and updated bibliographic collection of the project's subject matter (fall 2025).
6. Elaborate a series of materials and digital resources (videos, reels, infographics) for the dissemination of the project's content on the platform (autumn 2025).
7. Writing together with the editorial committee of the entries of the most important characters, places and events related to the Spanish presence in the U.S. War of Independence in relation to the commemoration of the 250 years of Independence. (January - July 2026).
8. Establish an inter- and multidisciplinary network of international collaboration based in Spain of experts in the field where they can research the characters, places and events with relevance in the United States. (2026)
HISPANAM seeks to compile relevant and rigorous information on the Spanish presence in North America taking into account the following areas and objects of study:
● Spanish historical figures.
● Missions/routes and historical events that reflect the relevant milestones of the Spanish presence in North America.
● Places/toponyms.
● Historical data that may be unknown and that have influenced the construction of the North American identity.
In summary, this project will promote the creation of a platform that synthesizes the Spanish presence in North America, aimed at a general public as a source of consultation and reference for researchers, educational centers and the media, among others. The online edition will guarantee users access to updated content reviewed by a committee of renowned researchers dedicated to the study of the Spanish legacy in North America, thus contributing to the recovery of the historical link between Spain and North America.
The principal investigator of the project will be Professor Dr. José Antonio Gurpegui Palacios.
José Antonio Gurpegui Palacios is director of the Instituto Franklin-UAH. Professor of North American Studies in the Department of Modern Philology at Universidad de Alcalá. He holds a PhD in English Philology from Universidad Complutense and a PhD in Law from Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, both in Madrid. He was a visiting professor at Harvard University between 1994 and 1996, and a member of the Matthiessen Room at the same university.
Previously, he was director of Instituto Franklin-UAH between 2003 and 2013. He is president of HispaUSA (Association for the Study of the Hispanic Population in the U.S.), honorary rector of UNADE (American University of Europe), and member of the Editorial Advisory Board of the “Recovery Project” of the Hispanic Literary Heritage in the United States at the University of Houston.
He has published and edited some thirty books and is the author of the novels Dejar de recordar no puedo (Huerga y Fierro, 2018), Ninguna mujer llorará por mí (Ediciones B, 2021) and Tiempo de Sangres (Universo de Letras, 2023).
Junior Researchers
The project is supported by a junior researcher from Instituto Franklin who will carry out the tasks of research and writing entries, which will be evaluated by an academic committee.
Ágatha Valladar Vacas M.A. in North American Studies from Universidad de Alcalá and Universidad Complutense de Madrid. M.A. in International Relations and Communication from Universidad Camilo José Cela. Graduate in English Studies from Universidad de Alcalá. Her research interests focus on international relations, migration and intersectionality linked to multiculturalism. Ágatha has a research training grant for junior researchers in the framework of the HISPANAM project.
Support team for the research project
Coordinator: Ana Lariño Ares
Secretary: Dr. Esperanza Cerdá Redondo
Support staff: Carlos Herrero Martínez and Cristina Sánchez Pacios
