Faculty of Arts and Humanities

Meet the current Faculty lead for Arts and Humanities, view current and past projects and interventions.

Dr Mazal Oaknín is Associate Professor (Teaching) in Spanish Language and Literature and Gender Studies in SELCS (School of European Languages, Culture and Society), where she is also Spanish Language Coordinator. Her research interests include EDI and curriculum innovation in Translation and Spanish language teaching, and gender studies, with a focus on Spanish women's writing.

Mazal is the co-Director of the e-Expert Seminar Series in Translation and Modern Language Education, a joint initiative with the University of Córdoba which since 2018 provides a global space for reflection on topics related to translation and language teaching. 

Mazal is a SELCS EDI Co-Lead and has launched different projects aimed at fostering inclusive teaching practices, including the “Tackling the BAME-BIPOC Awarding Gap in SELCS”, “Reverse Mentoring in SELCS”, “Decolonising Gender Studies in the Faculty of Arts and Humanities”, and “Mi Salud Mental: Improving Student Wellbeing Through Curriculum Infusion”. 

Mazal is the Student Success Lead for the Faculty of the Arts and Humanities.

Current work

"Mi Salud Mental": Improving Student Wellbeing Through Curriculum Infusion

This is an initiative launched in the 2024–25 academic year under UCL’s Grand Challenge of Mental Health and Wellbeing and in collaboration with colleagues in the Faculty of Brain Sciences and student co-producers. Its goal is to promote positive mental health and psychological wellbeing among university students through curriculum infusion by integrating principles of positive psychology into existing modules. The initiative bridges language education with evidence-based behaviour change interventions.

UDL (Universal Design for Learning) pilot in SELCS

UDL is a research-based educational framework that anticipates learner diverity and creates inclusive, flexible learning environments by offering multiple ways to engage, represent, and express knowledge. The pilot seeks to embed flexible teaching strategies across SELCS modules, introducing multiple engagement options, inclusive materials, and diverse ways for students to demonstrate learning and supporting both academic and emotional student success

Previous work*

• Delivery of focus groups with Black heritage students to explore their experiences within the Faculty
• Run 'inclusivity and Anti-Racist Pedagogy Workshops for A&H departments
• Promoting recruitment of BAME staff across Faculty
• Contribution to 'Inspiring Minds Indicution Festival' focused on race and equity

*Previous Faculty Lead was Dr Clive Nwonka