How to build global community through Mexican literature

for Sara Poot Herrera, distinguished professor of Spanish at UC Santa Barbara, literature isn’t about solitary reading or isolated academic work; it’s a vibrant force that builds community, fosters dialogue and bridges cultural divides. At the heart of her scholarly journey is the Mexican Baroque poet Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, whose feminist ideals and intellectual bravery have influenced Poot Herrera’s approach to education, research and collaboration.

“What matters most to me is community,” Poot Herrera said. “When I write an article or publish a book, it often connects directly to organizing a conference or teaching a course. All these activities reinforce one another.”

Poot Herrera’s extensive research on Sor Juana’s feminist legacy underscores her commitment to creating meaningful scholarly networks. Her recent publications include essays such as “Sor Juana, imagen de México al mundo” (El Heraldo de México, 2025) and “¿Escribirte, Juana Inés?” (Laberinto, Milenio, 2025). She has also explored historical perspectives in “Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz en dos revistas del siglo XIX” (El Pez y la Flecha, 2025), demonstrating Sor Juana’s ongoing influence across centuries.

“When I reread Sor Juana’s ‘Respuesta,’ I see it as a call for constant learning,” said Poot Herrera, who was awarded a doctorate honoris causa from the Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán in 2024 . “Sor Juana teaches us to approach life with humility and openness. Her writings are foundational in understanding how literature helps us understand ourselves and others.”

In addition to her research on Sor Juana, Poot Herrera has written about authors such as Juan José Arreola, Elena Poniatowska, Nellie Campobello, Margo Glantz, Sergio Pitol, Juan Rulfo, Rosario Castellanos and Cristina Rivera Garza, highlighting major trends in 20th- and 21st-century fiction. She also brings attention to lesser-studied voices and genres, including contemporary short stories and early modern theater and theater from the Inquisition.

Building upon her research, Poot Herrera co-founded UC Mexicanistas in 2008, an academic network dedicated to Mexican literature and culture. The organization, initiated informally after a literary conference at UCSB, now boasts more than 170 members from the United States, Mexico and Europe. Its growth has been driven by scholarly exchange and shared academic interests.

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