Silvia Xicola-Tugas

Ms. Silvia Xicola-Tugas's research focuses on multilingualism, language rights, and social justice, particularly within Spanish and Catalan linguistic contexts. Her research interests span language policy, sociolinguistics, translation studies, and cultural studies, with a particular emphasis on the intersections between language, power, and identity. She explores issues related to minoritized languages, language subordination, and the role of language in fostering social inclusion and equity. Her previous editorial work as an Assistant for the Journal of Spanish Language Teaching (Routledge) reflects her commitment to advancing scholarship in these areas.

Ms. Xicola-Tugas is a Lecturer in Spanish at the University of Bath, in the Department of Politics, Languages, and International Studies, where she has taught since 2019. Her teaching portfolio includes Spanish and Catalan language, translation, cultural studies, literature, and sociolinguistics. Prior to joining Bath, she held several teaching positions at the University of Oxford, where she was Lector in Catalan at the Faculty of Medieval and Modern Languages, and Tutor in Spanish and Cultural Studies at Trinity College. She also taught at Magdalen College School, the University of Georgia (UGA) Oxford Franklin Program, and the Department for Continuing Education. Previously, she delivered Catalan language courses and language promotion initiatives with the Catalan Government’s Consorci de Normalització Lingüística in Barcelona.

Ms. Silvia Xicola-Tugas holds an MSc in International Development, Social Justice, and Sustainability from the University of Bath, a Postgraduate Certificate in Second Language Teaching from the University of Barcelona, and a BA in Translation and Interpreting (Catalan, Spanish, English, and French) from Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona. She is also a qualified teacher with Qualified Teacher Status and has completed advanced certifications in teaching and language proficiency, including the SEDA certificate from the University of Oxford, as well as the Certificate of Pedagogical Aptitude from the University of Barcelona.

Her studies in Illustration and Fine Arts at the University of Barcelona and Escola d’Art i Disseny La Llotja in Barcelona complement her multidisciplinary approach, enriching her research and teaching methodology by integrating creative and visual perspectives into language, culture, and communication studies.

Ms. Xicola-Tugas is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and an Official Sworn Translator (English-Spanish) accredited by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union, and Cooperation of Spain. Her professional experience extends to translation, proofreading, and subtitling for institutions such as Barcelona City Council, the Open University of Catalonia, and the Television of Catalonia.

Ms. Xicola-Tugas has organized a range of academic and cultural events, including serving on the organizing committee for the Forum for Iberian Studies at the University of Oxford, where she contributed to conferences such as The Crisis in the Iberian Peninsula and Fictitious Realities, Real Fictions, exploring Catalan, Spanish, and Lusophone perspectives. She also co-organized the Celebration of Llull Year in Oxford, a colloquium honoring Ramon Llull, in collaboration with the Ramon Llull Institute.

As President of CAL Mollet, she led initiatives to promote the social use of Catalan, including the Correllengua festival, securing support from municipal, private, and community partners.

Ms. Xicola-Tugas was also on the organizing committee for the 4th International Urban Sketchers (USK) World Symposium in Barcelona, coordinating interpreter teams and logistics for this international event sponsored by Barcelona City Council.