Dr Rhian Davies

School of Languages and Cultures

Senior Lecturer

rhian.davies@sheffield.ac.uk
+44 114 222 0551

Jessop West

Full contact details

Dr Rhian Davies
School of Languages and Cultures
Jessop West
1 Upper Hanover Street
Sheffield
S3 7RA

Profile

I came to Sheffield in 1996 to take up the 4-year post as HEFCE/AHRB Institutional Fellow for the Galdós Editions Project, following a 2-year post as Laming Junior Fellow at The Queen's College, University of Oxford. I was offered a permanent post as Lecturer in 2000 and was promoted to Senior Lecturer in 2005.

I became the Director of the Galdós Editions Project in 2003 and have worked on three projects funded by CILASS (Centre for Inquiry Based Learning on the Arts and Social Sciences). The first involved creating an electronic learning package to complement my electronic edition of Torquemada en la hoguera, the second was a grammar package for Level 2 (Post A-level) students and I was the Programme Leader for the School of Languages’ Interactive Year abroad Project from 2007-11.

During my time at Sheffield I have undertaken numerous administrative roles, including Director of Learning and Teaching and Year Abroad Coordinator for Hispanic Studies. I was Head of the Department of Hispanic Studies from 2013-2016 and the Deputy Director of Learning and Teaching for the School of Languages and Cultures (SLC) and the Programme Level Approach (PLA) Lead from 2017-2020. I have served on various interview panels and committees both inside and outside the University, including the University’s Equality and Diversity Board, the Faculty of Arts’ Graduate Research Committee, the LLAS Subject Centre’s Advisory Board, and the AHGBI Executive Committee. I was a member of Review group of the QAA Benchmark Statement for Languages and Related Studies in 2007 and 2014.

I have taught on a wide range of modules covering the nineteenth-, twentieth- and twenty-first centuries. Literature is my main passion (especially nineteenth-century novels and contemporary Canarian literature) and I also immensely enjoy teaching film, which I regard as an important ‘route into reading’. (See the ‘Teaching’ section for more information). I love ‘all things Canarian’, particularly the novels of Miguel Aguerralde (1978-) and would relish the opportunity to supervise theses on topics related to my interests in the fin de siglo and to learn more, particularly about Canarian literature and culture.

Qualifications: BA Joint Honours (French and Spanish), MA, DPhil (Oxon) (Spanish at The Queen’s College, University of Oxford)

Research interests

My research interests include nineteenth-century Spanish culture and literature (particularly Galdós), the role of journalism during the fin de siglo and the uses of IT in producing electronic indexes and editions of novels. My research projects include 'From the Window of the Motherland', which looks at perspectives on Spanish America in the cultural review La España Moderna, the Torquemada novels and Galdós's work as a journalist. My latest passion is contemporary Canarian literature, especially the novels of Miguel Aguerralde (see http://miguelaguerralde.blogspot.com/).

I have been invited to speak and have delivered papers at numerous conferences/ institutions in the UK (e.g. Bristol, Liverpool, London, Manchester), Spain (e.g. Madrid [Universidad Autónoma], Las Palmas [Gran Canaria], Cádiz, the University of Palma Mallorca and Valencia) and the USA (Brown University). I have attended many of the AHGBI conferences and have delivered papers at every Congreso Internacional Galdosiano that has taken place since my arrival in Sheffield in 1996). I have also chaired panels/ acted as Secretaria de mesa on many occasions.

As can be seen below, I have supervised theses on a range of topics and I would welcome the opportunity to supervise on nineteenth or twentieth-century Spanish literature/culture or contemporary Canarian literature.

Supervision experience:

(Postdoctoral)

(2005-07): Dr María Ascensión Ruiz (Postdoctoral Research Fellow sponsored by Spain's Ministry of Education) working on the reception of Galdós’s work in the UK

(2002-3) Support for Dr Rodrigo Varela (Postdoctoral Research Fellow) working on Galdós’s El doctor Centeno

(PhD – all supervised to successful completion)

(2017) Inma Ridao Carlini: ‘Wealth, Poverty and Social Mobility in Restoration Spain: A Critique of Liberal Society in the Novelas contemporáneas of Benito Pérez Galdós’. Winner of the Peter Bly Prize. Published as Rich and Poor in Nineteenth-Century Spain: A Critique of Liberal Society in the Later Novels of Benito Pérez Galdós (Tamesis, 2018)

(2016) Morgane Guinard for ‘La Parabole du Savoir Interdit, ou les Interdits philosophiques et religieux sur la connaissance en France au XVIIIe siècle’

(2016) Carla Almanza Gálvez: ‘Utopian Narrative in 18^th-century Spain: Generic Frameworks and Social Reformism’. Winner of the AHGBI Publication Prize. Published as Form and Reform in Eighteenth-Century Spain: Utopian Narratives and Socio-Political Debate (Legenda 2018)

(2013) Michelle Hunt: ‘Literary and Social Aspects of El Pensador: An Essay-Periodical of Social Reform in Eighteenth-Century Spain’

(2009) Anna Homan: 'Education and Genesis in Galdós's El doctor Centeno' (funded by a University Project Studentship)

(2004) Patricia Scott: 'Women in the novels of Eça de Queiroz and Benito Pérez Galdós'

(MA)

MPhil (2005) Clare Skirrey for 'The Natural World in the Short Stories of Leopoldo Alas'

I have supervised numerous students on the MA in Hispanic Studies programme and on the MA Applied Languages Programme (2011-2018), plus a Mundus student.

I have also chaired numerous upgrade panels/ confirmation reviews in SLC (on theses relating to French, German, History and Spanish)

Publications

Books

Davies R (2002) Galdós y Lázaro: una breve y fructífera colaboración (1889-91). Madrid: Fundación Lázaro Galdiano/Ollero y Ramos.
Davies R (2000) La España Moderna and Regeneración A Cultural Review in Restoration Spain, 1889-1914.

Edited books

Davies R & Brooksbank Jones A (Ed.) (2007) The Place of Argument: Essays in Honour of Nicholas G. Round. London: Tamesis.

Journal articles

Davies R (2020) A journey through uncharted territories? : Reassessing Canarian literature and the Novela Negra through an analysis of identity, solitude and place in Miguel Aguerralde’s Claro de Luna (2009). Journal of Iberian and Latin American Studies. View this article in WRRO
Davies R (2019) ‘Vampires in the Canaries?’ Miguel Aguerralde’s Noctámbulo (2010): Revitalizing vampire traditions in the Hispanic periphery. Horror Studies, 10(2), 189-207. View this article in WRRO
Davies R (2019) The meaning of words: The art (or artlessness) of communication in Galdós's Torquemada en la hoguera (1889). Bulletin of Spanish Studies: Hispanic studies and researches on Spain, Portugal and Latin America. View this article in WRRO
Davies R (2018) Crime and Reform in La España Moderna (1889–1914). Bulletin of Spanish Studies: Hispanic studies and researches on Spain, Portugal and Latin America, 95(4), 243-272. View this article in WRRO
Davies R (2018) Space and Place in Alejandro Galindo’s 1950 Film Adaptation of Benito Pérez Galdós’s Doña Perfecta (1876). Bulletin of Hispanic Studies (Liverpool), 95(4), 417-434. View this article in WRRO
Davies R (2017) ¿”Mujeres al borde de un naufragio” or female redeemers? The representation and role of women in Galdós’s Torquemada novels (1889–95). Journal of Iberian and Latin American Studies, 23(3), 297-316. View this article in WRRO
Carreres Á, Noriega-Sánchez M, Bailey M, Arbesú D, Bultman D, Byrne S, Brewer B, Rivera-Rodas Ó, O'reilly T, Haidt R , Phillips CR et al (2015) Reviews of Books. Bulletin of Spanish Studies, 92(6), 1013-1045.
Marino NF, Piera M, Reed CA, De Armas FA, De García SP, Kitts S-A, Davies R, Adamthwaite A, Mcculloch J, Ferreira AP , Oakley RJ et al (2013) Reviews of Books. Bulletin of Spanish Studies, 90(8), 1377-1396.
Mackenzie I, Carreres Á, Noriega-Sánchez M, Anipa K, Anipa K, Ingram K, Webster JR, Harvey LP, Melammed RL, Fisher T , John McCaw R et al (2013) Reviews of Books. Bulletin of Spanish Studies, 90(7), 1187-1231.
Davies R (2012) 'La cuestión femenina' and La España Moderna’ (1889–1914). Bulletin of Spanish Studies, 89(1), 61-86.
Davies R (2011) Pedro Antonio de Alacron (press, politics, thesis novel). BULLETIN OF SPANISH STUDIES, 88(3), 426-427.
Davies R (2007) Cervantes in the Cultural Review La España Moderna (1889–1914). Bulletin of Hispanic Studies, 84(2), 145-160.
Davies R (2003) Memoir Lisa Pauline Condé , 1949–2002. Bulletin of Hispanic Studies, 80(4), 565-568.
Davies R (1999) The Background to Torquemada en la hoguera. Bulletin of Hispanic Studies, 76(3), 399-413.
Davies R () ‘Occasion for All’ Nicholas Grenville (Nick) Round (1938–2021). Bulletin of Spanish Studies, 1-7.
Davies R () Revisiting ‘Place’ in a Realist Novel: ‘Thinking Space’ in Galdos's Torquemada en la hoguera (1889). Hispanic Research Journal. View this article in WRRO

Chapters

Davies R (2018) How to be a writer for the press - and how to write about it In Ginger A (Ed.), Spain in the nineteenth century: New essays on experiences of culture and society Manchester: Manchester University Press. View this article in WRRO
Davies R (2014) Las escritoras en La España Moderna (1889-1914) In Servén C & Bernard M (Ed.), Escritoras españolas en los medios de prensa (1868-1936) (pp. 61-94). Madrid: Editorial Renacimiento. View this article in WRRO
Davies R (2011) Civilization and Barbarity in the Torquemada Novels In Harpring MA (Ed.), Studies in Honor of Vernon Chamberlin (pp. 49-64). Juan De LA Cuesta
Davies R (2009) La España Moderna y la literatura hispanoamericana In Alonso JS & Bolufer ADJ (Ed.), Literatura hispánica y prensa periódica (1875-1931) (pp. 727-743).

Book reviews

Maura JF, Kluge S, Jones JA, Fajardo SJ, Fajardo SJ, Dadson TJ, McCaw RJ, Rallo Gruss A, Cruickshank DW, Marín Pina MC , Heneghan D et al (2019) Reviews of Books. Bulletin of Spanish Studies, 96(4), 697-735.
Davies R (2019) La novela ideológica (1875–1880): la literatura de ideas en la España de la Restauración. Journal of Spanish Cultural Studies, 20(1-2), 175-176.
Davies R (2019) Approaches to Teaching the Writings of Emilia Pardo Bazan. BULLETIN OF SPANISH STUDIES, 96(4), 712-713.
Barlow JE, Zoco VMP, Arbesú D, Cammarata J, L. Bergmann E, Campbell J, Rouhi L, Bradbury J, Deacon P, Davies R , Walsh A et al (2018) Reviews of Books. Bulletin of Spanish Studies, 95(6), 723-749.
Davies R (2018) Epistolaridad y Realismo: La correspondencia privada y literaria de Juan Valera, Emilia Pardo Bazán y Benito Pérez Galdós. Bulletin of Spanish Studies, 6(95), 735-736.
Davies R (2017) Christine Arkinstall, Spanish Female Writers and the Freethinking Press 1879-1926. Bulletin of Spanish Studies: Hispanic studies and researches on Spain, Portugal and Latin America(94).
Irish MS, Beck ES, Pérez-Villanueva S, Bradbury JD, Boyd S, Rhodes E, Smith AE, Davies R, Utrera MSF, Cornellà-Detrell J , Rodgers E et al (2017) Reviews of Books. Bulletin of Spanish Studies, 94(5), 891-917.
Davies R (2017) Spanish Female Writers and the Freethinking Press, 1879-1926. BULLETIN OF SPANISH STUDIES, 94(5), 900-902.
Davies R (2015) The Spanish Writer and Publisher Carlos Frontaura (1834-1910): A Study of His Social Influence and Ideology. BULLETIN OF SPANISH STUDIES, 92(6), 1027-1028.
Davies R (2013) Marriage, Family and State: anarcho-feminist writers in "La Revista Blanca" (1898-1936). BULLETIN OF SPANISH STUDIES, 90(8), 1385-1386.
Davies R (2013) Laborers of the pen: (re)definition of the role of writer-journalist in the magazine "Madrid Comico". BULLETIN OF SPANISH STUDIES, 90(7), 1208-1209.
Davies R (2012) Traducción y cultura: La literatura traducida en la prensa hispánica (1868-98). Bulletin of Spanish Studies, 89(5), 812-813.
Davies R (2011) Hold That Pose: Visual Culture in the Late-Nineteenth-Century Spanish Periodical. MODERN LANGUAGE REVIEW, 106, 270-271.
Davies R (2011) Benito Perez Galdos in Mexican cinema: literature and cinema. BULLETIN OF HISPANIC STUDIES, 88(1), 124-125.
Davies R (2011) Negotiating Sainthood: Distinction, Cursilería and Saintliness in Spanish Novels by Kathy Bacon. The Modern Language Review, 106(1), 269-270.
Davies R (2011) John H. Sinnigen, Benito Pérez Galdós en el cine mexicano: literatura y cine. Bulletin of Hispanic Studies, 88(1), 125-125.
Davies R (2011) Ignacio Javier López, Pedro Antonio de Alarcón (Prensa, política, novela de tesis). Bulletin of Spanish Studies, 88(3), 426-427.
Davies R (2010) Mariano de Cávia, Azotes y galeras. Bulletin of Spanish Studies, 87(2), 271-272.
Davies R & McGovern T (2007) Galdós beyond Realism: Reading and the Creation of Magical Worlds. The Modern Language Review, 102(3), 868-868.
Davies R (2007) Galdos and the mythological imagination.. REVISTA DE ESTUDIOS HISPANICOS, 41(1), 148-150.
Davies R (2006) Critical prose. BULLETIN OF HISPANIC STUDIES, 83(1), 125-126.
Davies R (2005) Doctor Centeno. BULLETIN OF HISPANIC STUDIES, 82(2), 248-249.
Davies R (2005) Literary journal and XXth century literature. Monteagudo, 3(a) period, no. 7. BULLETIN OF HISPANIC STUDIES, 82(2), 255-256.
Davies R (2005) The perils of interpreting Fortunara's dream' and other studies in Galdos: 1961-2002.. BULLETIN OF HISPANIC STUDIES, 82(2), 249-250.
Davies R & Whiston J (2003) Creatividad textual e intertextual en Galdos. The Modern Language Review, 98(3), 743-743.
Davies R (2001) The elusive image: Language and representation in the narrative of Galdos. BULLETIN OF HISPANIC STUDIES, 78(3), 428-429.

Conference proceedings papers

Davies R (2015) El mundo del siglo XIX en la obra novelística y periodística de Galdós. Actas del X Congreso Internacional de estudios galdosianos (pp 167-173)
Davies R (2011) "La Ciudad Imperial": Toledo en la obra periodística y novelística de Galdós. Congreso Internacional de estudios galdosianos, Vol. 9 (pp 571-582)
Davies R (2009) Galdós y la prensa: hacia una revisión crítica de la mina inagotable. Congreso Internacional de estudios galdosianos, Vol. 8 (pp 509-519)
Davies R () ‘¿En busca del «hombre nuevo»? Retratos de la masculinidad en las Novelas de Torquemada (1889-95)’ (pp 893-914). Las Palmas, Gran Canaria View this article in WRRO

Scholarly editions

Pérez Galdós B (2005) Torquemada en la hoguera. HriOnline.

Teaching activities

I have taught Undergraduate modules at all levels, focussing primarily on the Spanish nineteenth century, but also on twentieth- and twenty-first-century literature and culture and some Latin American authors. I have also taught Spanish language at Levels 2 and 3.

My literature modules (notably HSS 3000) have often been commended by External Examiners for their innovative approach and my teaching methods have been regarded as examples of good practice both within and outside Sheffield, and served as case studies for TEL events.

I have published articles on my teaching experiences, including:

‘New Ways of Teaching Literature’, commissioned and peer-reviewed by the LLAS Subject Centre (2006). See https://www.llas.ac.uk//resources/gpg/2593

'Teaching Students to Read: The Uses of IT in Studying the Novels of Benito Pérez Galdós', Languages and Linguistics and Area Studies Subject Centre C&IT Supplement, ed. Janet Bartle (Southampton: CILT, 2002), pp.12-14

'The Pérez Galdós Editions Project: Creating Electronic Scholarly Editions', Teaching European Literature and Culture with Communication and Information Technologies: Selected Papers, ed. Sarah Porter & Stuart Sutherland (Oxford: CTI Centre for Textual Studies, 1999), pp.24-26 (see http://users.ox.ac.uk/~ctitext2/publish/occas/eurolit/davies.html )

Details of the modules I have taught:

HSS 130/1: Literature Tutorial groups (in connection with the ‘Texts’ component of the core course) & a series of lectures on Torquemada en la hoguera	Level 1
MDL 106: ‘Understanding Spanish and Latin American Culture’	Level 1
HSS 227: ‘Tradition, Transition and Modernity’	Level 2
HSS 251: ‘Hispanic Fiction’	Level 2
HSS 234: ‘Issues & Ideologies in the Modern Hispanic World’	Level 2
HSS 260: 'Spanish-American literature'	Level 2
HSS 264: 'The Novels of Benito Pérez Galdós'	Level 2
HSS 3000: ‘Adaptations and Transformations’	Level 3
HSS 3014: ‘Questioning Spain’	Level 3
HSS 3015 ‘The Media in Spain’	Level 3
HSS 335: ‘Genesis and Genre: From Novel to Play to Screen: Galdós Today’	Level 3
HSS 369: 'The Politics and the Fiction of Crisis: 1868-98'	Level 3
HSS 371: ‘Dissidence and Debate’	Level 3

I have also taught Level 2 Spanish at both Beginners’ level and Post A-level (HSS 230/1 and HSS 270/1), final-year Spanish language (HSS 330/1 and HSS 338/9) and MA Directed reading modules.

Professional activities and memberships

Examination-related activities:

(2016-20) External Examiner for Hispanic Studies at Cardiff University

(2012-14) External Examiner for the MA in Translation & Interpreting/ MA in Professional Translation degrees at Swansea University

(2009-14) External Examiner for Hispanic Studies at Swansea University

I have also examined MA and PhD theses at Sheffield and the University of Leeds

Advisory work:

(2014 and 2007) QAA Benchmark Statement for Languages and Related Studies Review Group

(2007-11) LLAS Subject Centre’s Advisory Board

(2007-11) AHGBI Executive Committee

(2008-11) LLAS Subject Centre’s ‘3 Es’ Advisory group

(2006) Sheffield’s SoTL (Scholarship of Teaching and Learning) Special Interest Group

(2003-11) LLAS’s Special Interest Group on the ‘Teaching of Literature and Culture’

I have acted as referee/ reader for the following:

(Journals)

Bulletin of Hispanic Studies (Liverpool), Bulletin of Spanish Studies (Glasgow), Hispanic Research Journal (London), Hispanic Review (Pennsylvania, USA), Letras Femeninas (Arizona, USA), Letras Hispanas (Texas, USA), Revista Canadiense de Estudios Hispánicos (Ottawa, Canada)

(Publishers)

Legenda and the University of Wales Press

Liaison with External bodies:

(2006-17) Organization of the Annual Galdós Lecture series, sponsored by the Oficina Cultural of the Spanish Embassy

(2008) Co-organised (with the LLAS Subject Centre) the ‘Texts in Translation’ event

(2008) Local Conference Secretary for the AHGBI conference (Sheffield)

Memberships:

Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)

Member of the Association of Hispanists of Great Britain and Ireland (AHGBI)

Member of the Asociación Internacional de Galdosistas (AIG)

Member of the XIX Red de Hispanistas