Dr. Antonio Cazorla Sanchez – a renowned historian of 20th century Spain whose widely published work has helped the world better understand the Spanish Civil War, the political regime of Francisco Franco, and international fascism – is the 2019/20 recipient of Trent University’s prestigious Distinguished Research Award.

“Along with the selection committee, I am delighted to salute Dr. Antonio Cazorla Sanchez for his significant research contribution to the knowledge and diffusion of Spanish contemporary history,” said Dr. Neil Emery, vice president, Research and Innovation at Trent University. “Already recognized as a top international historian, Antonio is most deserving of Trent University’s prestigious Distinguished Research Award.”

The Distinguished Research Award is presented annually to a deserving faculty member in recognition of outstanding achievements in research and scholarship.

Professor Cazorla Sanchez, who has been affiliated with Trent’s History department since 2004 and has chaired the department since 2015, is a leading scholar who recently secured a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) grant to create a digital museum about the Spanish Civil War. Prof. Cazorla Sanchez also specializes in the social and cultural history of Spain under dictatorship.

“My reaction upon learning I won the award was one of gratitude,” Prof. Cazorla Sanchez said. “Gratitude to my students who force me to explain things clearly, to my colleagues inside and outside Trent from whom I keep learning so many interesting things, and to Trent which hired me 16 years ago, when I was a new Canadian, and gave me a chance to offer my best to our community.”

Over the years, Prof. Cazorla Sanchez has significantly contributed to the knowledge and diffusion of Spanish contemporary history. The best examples of his contributions can be found in his two books: Fear and Progress: Ordinary Lives in Franco’s Spain (1936-1975), and Franco: The Biography of the Myth. Media outlets such as the Globe and Mail, El Pais and Spanish television outlets have sought him out for his expertise. Crossing over to North American television, Prof. Cazorla Sanchez was also brought in as an expert on Franco for the 2018-19 PBS special The Dictator’s Playbook.

Along with his prolific publication output, knowledge dissemination and editorial activity, Prof. Cazorla Sanchez has received considerable research funding from national and international sources, including several major SSHRC grants.

One of his colleagues and many nominators for this award noted Prof. Cazorla Sachez’s devotion and international reputation make him one of Canada’s leading historians, saying: “I have seen, first-hand, his impressive devotion to his research and to his students – both undergraduate and graduate. He is Canada’s leading historian of modern Spain without question. I’ve encountered historians in Europe who know of Antonio’s scholarship and are quick to describe him in glowing terms as a respect, indeed revered historian.”