Overcoming Challenges in Self and Society

Roger L. Martínez-Dávila is a prominent Professor of History at the University of Colorado, specializing in medieval European history and its global contexts. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Public Policy from the University of California-Berkeley. His acclaimed monograph, Creating Conversos: The Carvajal-Santa María Family in Early Modern Spain, delves into the intricate narratives of Jews who converted to Catholicism during the Inquisition, exploring their migration to colonial Mexico and Bolivia and their subsequent rise to prominence in church and government. Roger is at the forefront of integrating digital technology into historical research, leading initiatives such as the Immersive Global Middle Ages, which uses virtual reality to recreate historical experiences and promote understanding of cultural interactions during the medieval period. His work has garnered significant funding, including grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities, allowing him to develop innovative educational programs that engage students with medieval manuscripts and inter-religious relations. As a guest curator for exhibitions like Fractured Faiths at the New Mexico History Museum, he has made substantial contributions to public history, enriching our understanding of historical complexities through both scholarly research and immersive experiences.