HaSS academic awarded for commitment to UK-Spanish collaboration
The award recognises Dr Jorge Català for his outstanding academic career, international research leadership, and sustained commitment to strengthening collaboration between Spain and the United Kingdom.
30 June 2026
The Society of Spanish Researchers in the United Kingdom (SRUK/CERU) 2026 Merit Award was formally presented at the 13th SRUK/CERU International Symposium on 27 June 2026, at University of Oxford, where Dr Català also delivered a plenary lecture.
The award was presented by Dr Carlos Soler Montes, President of SRUK/CERU, and Dr Eva Ortega-Paíno, Secretary General of Research of the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities.
A leading researcher in contemporary Spanish and Latin American culture
Dr Jorge Català joined Newcastle University in 2010, where he is currently Reader in Spanish and Cultural History. Originally from Valencia, he has developed an internationally recognised research profile in contemporary Spanish and Latin American cultural production.
His work is characterised by a strong interdisciplinary approach, combining cultural analysis, visual studies, and memory studies. He has authored and co-authored numerous peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, and edited volumes in leading international outlets, contributing to key debates in Hispanic studies and helping shape emerging fields such as comics studies within the Spanish-speaking context.
The award highlights his internationally recognised contributions to Spanish and Latin American cultural studies, particularly in the fields of visual culture, comics studies, and memory studies. His research has played a key role in advancing the understanding of graphic narrative as a critical tool to examine historical memory, political crises, and cultural identity across the Spanish-speaking world.
Dr Català comments:
‘I am truly honoured to receive this award, and I would like to thank all SRUK/CERU members for making this society such an inclusive and inspiring space for interdisciplinary research and intellectual curiosity.'
On the importance of this award recognising the contribution of the humanities in academia and in finding solutions to the world’s biggest challenges, he adds:
‘I am especially honoured because this is the first time the award has been given to a Humanities researcher; a field that contributes decisively to addressing some of today’s most pressing societal challenges.
Our societies are currently facing multilayered crises, and meaningful solutions will necessarily emerge through collective interdisciplinary collaboration between STEM and non-STEM disciplines. In this shared process of inquiry, Humanities scholars often remind us of the complexities of what it means to be human by creating or analysing narratives that help explain scientific discoveries, uncovering new forms of knowledge, and developing concepts to be tested.’
Additional recognition
As part of this recognition, Dr Català will receive honorary membership of SRUK/CERU and will join the Scientific Advisory Board as a distinguished advisor.
Carlos Soler Montes, President of SRUK/CERU, added:
‘Dr Català’s award marks a significant milestone, as he becomes the first recipient of the SRUK/CERU Merit Award from the humanities. This recognition highlights the essential contribution of the humanities to research, innovation, and societal impact.’