Iván Vázquez Villar (born 1992, Santiago de Compostela, Spain) is a Spanish deaf professor and researcher specializing in inclusive education and Spanish Sign Language (LSE).
Education and Academic Career
Vázquez Villar holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social Education, and a Master's degree in Secondary Education Teaching with a specialization in Socio-Community Intervention. He is also a certified teacher in Spanish Sign Language[1]. Since 2020, he has served as an Assistant Professor at Universidad Rey Juan Carlos (URJC), teaching courses in Spanish Sign Language and Deaf Community, as well as in the Master’s program for secondary education teachers[1]
Research and Contributions
His research focuses on inclusive education, the role of Spanish Sign Language, and the social impact of media and digital platforms in raising awareness about deafness and accessibility. He has participated in European projects such as CARES-DEAF and national projects funded by Spain's State Research Agency, including CoMParTIR[1]. Among his publications is a co-authored article reflecting on the right to education for deaf people and the existing barriers to authentic inclusion[2].
Recognition and Impact
In 2024, Vázquez Villar won the Community of Madrid’s “Thesis in 3 Minutes” competition, becoming the first deaf researcher and native sign language user to achieve this honor[3]. His work and public outreach contribute to greater understanding of the deaf community’s educational and social challenges in Spain.
- Universidad Rey Juan Carlos. (n.d.). Iván Vázquez Villar - Staff Profile.
- Vázquez-Villar, I., & Villaseñor, S. S. B. (2021, December). El derecho a la educación y las personas sordas: Reflexiones para una auténtica educación inclusiva. In Congreso Caribeño de Investigación Educativa (Vol. 2, pp. 307-311).
- Calveiro, P. (2024, June 25). Sus profesores le decían a Iván que siendo sordo no acabaría la ESO y hoy es un doctorado «cum laude». La Voz de Galicia.
