Complutense University of Madrid
The in-person segment of the 10th World Conference on Qualitative Research will take place from January 20 to 22, 2026, at the Faculty of Education, Complutense University of Madrid.
The current Complutense University of Madrid was founded by Cardinal Cisneros as a result of the “Inter cetera” Papal Bull granted by Pope Alexander VI on 13 April 1499. This Papal Bull provided the Cardinal with the power to found and construct a College of Scholars located in Alcalá de Henares. The three documents that come from the pontifical chancery date back to the same date. The “Inter cetera” document belongs to the category of papal bull, so it is not a bull or “littera solemne”, but a “littera graciosa” or grant letter. It is a piece of parchment with semi-gothic lettering that is conserved in the National Historical Archive.
The College has been located on the site of the ancient Roman city from the 1st century BCE, Complutum. Construction finished in 1508, and students started studying here in the same year. Registration occurred between August and October. On 17 October, the first Rector of the University was chosen, Pedro del Campo. He opened the academic year with a lecture about the moral philosophy of Aristotles. Cisneros’ initial idea was to reproduce the content of studies from Medieval European universities, where Theology, Medicine and Jurisprudence were studied, with Liberal Arts as preparatory studies. Through the collegial structure, the Cardinal attempted to allow people with limited resources to study at the university by granting scholarships.
Faculty of Education (Teacher Training Centre)
The origin of the current Faculty of Education (Teacher Training Centre) dates back to the creation of the Normal Schools in 19th century Spain, whose aim was to professionalise teaching. The first Normal School for men was founded by Pablo Montesino in 1839 in Madrid. It was considered as the Central Normal School because it set the standard for other institutions of its kind that were later founded. The school for females was the Central Normal School of Teachers, founded in 1858. Both centres evolved during the 19th and 20th centuries, following the dominant political trend in Spain throughout this period. Various specific reorganisations were carried out in each of these schools until 1898 when both of them were governed by the same legislation and adapted to the different educational plans for training teachers in primary education that were established at this time.
