Universitat de Barcelona

Psychologist, teacher and writer

Miquel Siguan (Barcelona, 1918-2010) is considered to be one of Catalonia's most eminent contemporary thinkers. A discreet figure, Siguan was nevertheless distinguished by a busy career in which he contributed as both a professional and scholar to many areas of study.

Siguan received his doctoral degree in Philosophy in 1951. In 1962 he was appointed to the newly-created Chair of Philosophy at the University of Barcelona, where his efforts led to the creation of a Philosophy faculty. He was particularly active in the fields of child language, psychology of language and the issue of languages in education.

In later years Miquel Siguan specialized in bilingualism, using a multidisciplinary approach that included elements of psychology, sociology, teaching and politics. He was one of the founding members of the University of Barcelona lnstitute of Education Sciences and he also directed UNESCO's Linguapax Project.