Sharina Maíllo-Pozo

Sharina Maíllo-Pozo, associate professor in the Franklin College Department of Romance Languages, is being honored for Bridging Sonic Borders: Popular Music in Contemporary Dominican/Dominicanyork Literature, an ambitious interdisciplinary research project that redefines Dominican and Latinx cultural studies. With its centerpiece a 2025 monograph published by the University of Texas Press, Maíllo-Pozo’s research opens new pathways for understanding how culture, music, literature, and identity take shape across two islands—Hispaniola in the Caribbean and Manhattan in New York. Introducing the groundbreaking concept of “sonic literary texts,” she explores novels, poetry, music, and performance that respond to political repression, migration, and the complexities of transnational life. Praised by leaders in the field, Bridging Sonic Borders has earned national and international recognition, multiple award nominations, and meaningful impact across Latinx, Caribbean, and sound studies. Fueled by public engagement through news articles, social media events, and public talks, Maíllo-Pozo invites scholars and broader communities to reimagine conversations about immigration, diaspora, and belonging.