Dr Natalia Stengel Peña

IASH Affiliate 2023-24
Dr Natalia Stengel Peña

Dr Natalia Stengel Peña received her PhD in Latin American Studies at King’s College London. Previously, she studied Sociology and Modern and Contemporary Art in Mexico, her home country. Her thesis Awareness, Denunciation and Pedagogy: the Rhizomatic effects of Mexican Feminist Artivism Against Gender Violence: a Qualitative Approach delved into the intricate realm of how artistic social initiatives are empowering women with tools to confront gender-based violence in Mexico. The culmination of her research led to the co-coordination of the project Bingo of Fear, a ludic tool for women to protest different forms of violence. Dr Stengel Peña’s scholarly pursuits have extended to her most recent publications, which delve into the pivotal role that artists play in surmounting social crises and challenges. Natalia Stengel joined the University of Edinburgh as Spanish Tutor in 2022, and as an Early Career Research and Teaching Fellow in 2023.

I am currently exploring at different Latin American feminist artistic expressions and its relevance for the socio-political and art spheres. Through my project, the Bingo of Fear, I aim at conducting a practice-based research project that deepens our comprehension of socioartistic initiatives that flourished within arduous contexts. I am particularly interested in women’s artistic contributions, which have enriched the ongoing discourse across Latin America concerning sustainability, neoliberalism, social equity, and human rights.

Concurrently, I am diligently investigating diverse forms to acknowledge and create platforms for Spanish-speaking women artists and writers. My aspiration is to enhance the accessibility of information pertaining to these remarkable individuals and seamlessly integrate their narratives and creations into the broader tapestry of Spanish-speaking countries’ scholarly and cultural discourse.