Instructor of Spanish This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Sterne Library 222
(205) 934-4652

Research and Teaching Interests: Film and visual media, Cultural studies, Gender studies, Women authors, Social justice, Environmental humanities, 20th–21st century Hispanic literature, Transatlantic studies, Memory and trauma, Affect studies, Horror studies, Visual arts and art history, Second language acquisition, Intercultural competence

Office Hours: By appointment

Education:

• BA, University of Valencia (Spain) Art History
• MA, University Cardenal Herrera-CEU (Spain), Cultural Studies
• MA, University of Alabama, Spanish Literature

Sarah Valentín-Sánchez earned her MA in Spanish Literature from the University of Alabama, where she is currently completing her PhD in Romance Languages. Her research focuses on contemporary Spanish women filmmakers with a particular focus on the political and cultural functions of emotions as a form of resistance, social change, and cultural reflection. She also holds degrees in Cultural Studies from Universidad CEU–Cardenal Herrera and in Art History from the University of Valencia, as well as a Certificate of Specialization in Methodology and Didactics of Spanish as a Second Language from Instituto Cervantes.

Before relocating to Birmingham, Sarah taught at the Instituto Cervantes in Chicago. She currently teaches Spanish language and culture courses at the University of Alabama and UAB, ranging from elementary and intermediate to honors-level classes. Her pedagogy emphasizes student-centered learning, intercultural competence, and the integration of contemporary cultural materials—particularly film, music, social media, memes, and graphic novels—as pedagogical tools.

Beyond the classroom, she has served as an adviser to student organizations and actively collaborates with the Birmingham Museum of Art. She also participates as a juror and co-programmer for the Sidewalk Film Festival and other film events across the South.