Juan Arias

Dr. Juan Manuel Arias is a Preceptor in Spanish in the Department of Romance Languages and Literatures at Harvard University, where he earned his PhD in 2024. His  research focuses on medieval and early modern literature and the history of animal ethics and human–animal relationships.

He has taught language and literature in Spain, Colombia, and the United States. His teaching brings together an interest in decolonizing the language curriculum and a commitment to integrating sustainability into the classroom, both as a subject of discussion and as an everyday practice. He strives to create learning environments where students feel a sense of belonging and connect language learning with broader cultural and ethical questions.

At Harvard, he coordinates courses in the beginning Spanish program (Spanish 10, 11, and/or 15, depending on the semester). In this role, he helps students build a strong foundation in Spanish and foster their confidence and curiosity. 

During his doctoral studies, he served as a Pedagogy Fellow with the Derek Bok Center for Teaching and Learning. His contributions to teaching and departmental life have been recognized with Harvard’s Certificate of Distinction in Teaching and the Department of Romance Languages and Literatures’ Community Building Award.