From University Carlos III Madrid –> To University of Essex
My doctoral thesis, provisionally entitled “The Wound in the Word. Towards a Literary Theory on the Negativity of Harm” aims to provide some theoretical tools with which to think about the relationship and role of literature in the social elaboration of traumatic historical processes. We are all aware of social suffering and harm, and understanding them is a crucial step in their ceasing and closure, for which I argue that literature can offer an entry point for interpretation from the privileged perspective of the tension that is to be found in it between fiction and reality.
Within the broad tradition of critical theory, the current state of my research is focused on a contemporary foundation for the category of negativity, central to both the tradition of German idealism and that of critical theory. This was the reason why I was particularly interested in a visit at what is probably the leading English university working in these areas.
My visit to the University of Essex took place between April 22nd and May 6th. There I was received by Professor Peter Dews, with whom I had requested my stay due to the quality and reputation of his academic work in the area of Critical Theory in which I am developing part of my doctoral research. I am currently studying for my PhD in Humanities at the Carlos III University in Madrid.
Miguel Alirangues was awarded one of the 26 Research Mobility Awards of the 1st call for applications that YERUN offered in 2018.
Photo credit: Archivo Residencia Estudiantes UC3M
