David Martínez Zayas

David Martinez
  • Lecturer
  • College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, Spanish & Portuguese

Contact Info

Wescoe Hall 2637
Lawrence

Personal Links

Biography —

David Martinez Zayas is an educator, researcher, and scholar whose work explores language, education, social justice, and cultural identity in Latin America. His research focuses on multilingualism, linguistic inequalities, Indigenous language revitalization, migration, and higher education, with research experience in Paraguay, Mexico, and Guatemala.

David has more than 18 years of experience in education and holds a Ph. D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, as well as studies in law and the performing arts. His interdisciplinary background also includes teaching, curriculum development, research, acting, and community engagement. He has worked and studied in Paraguay, the United States, Canada, and Asia, bringing an international and interdisciplinary perspective to his scholarly and professional work.

Research —

Research interests:

  • Linguicism y Language Hierarchy
  • Spatial Imaginaries and Education
  • Higher Education Transformation and State Control

Teaching —

Teaching interests:

  • Spanish
  • Curriculum Design
  • Higher Education Policy

Selected Publications —

Martínez, D. (2020). Pedagogical Use of Dramatic Performance for Peace Education in Paraguay. INSECTA, 1(2). http://jurnal.iainponorogo.ac.id/index.php/insecta/article/view/2182/1442

Martínez, D. (2022). Issues and Challenges of the Paraguayan Education System. INSECTA, 3(1). https://jurnal.iainponorogo.ac.id/index.php/insecta/article/view/3859/2046

Martinez, D., & Mann, B. (under review). Spatially proximate but culturally distant: Language hierarchies and multicultural education in Paraguayan border schools. Journal of Latinos and Education.

Selected Presentations —

Martínez,  D.,  & Mann,  B.  (2025, Mar.). Educational  challenges near  the Paraguayan- Brazilian border: What happens to schools in a place where political and cultural boundaries are misaligned? [Paper session]. KU Department of Spanish & Portuguese 2nd Biennial Graduate Conference, Lawrence, KS.

Martínez, D., (2025, May). Educational challenges near the Paraguayan-Brazilian border: What  happens  to  schools  in  a  place where  political  and  cultural  boundaries  are misaligned? [Paper  session].  Comparative  and  International  Education  Society  (CIES). Envisioning Education in a Digital Society. Chicago.

Martínez, D., (2025, May). The role of Teachers in Addressing Linguicism and Navigating Spatial Imaginaries in Multicultural Educational Contexts in Paraguay. [Paper session]. Panel entitled: Pedagogías, Etnicidades e Interculturalidad. Latin America Studies Association (LASA) San Francisco- 2025.

Martínez, D. (2025, Nov.). How education is impacted in transnational communities where linguistic, political and cultural boundaries are misaligned? A case of Brazilian Diaspora in Paraguay. [Paper session]. KU Latin America Studies Association Oceania Asia (LASA). Melbourne. Australia.

Martínez, D. (2026, April.). “Heritage and Loss: Cultural Resilience and Linguistic Challenges of the Mopan an Endangered Language in Guatemala”. [Paper session]. Rocky Mountain Council for Latin American Studies 73rd Annual Conference. Puebla, Pue., Mexico.

Awards & Honors —

  • Fulbright Program Award- USA - March 2022–May 2026
  • Tinker Field Research Grant- USA - July 2024 and Feb 2025
  • Emerging Leaders of the Americas Award- Canada - August-Dec 2021
  • KOICA Graduate Scholarships- South Korea - August 2018-Jan 2020