100% of Welsh Department research at Swansea University is of international quality.
Research in the Department of Welsh
Since the turn of the millennium the three research assessments (2001, 2008 and 2014) have shown the Department of Welsh to be a unit of excellence at Swansea University, with its staff consistently producing world-class research. The research tradition, however, stretches back to the beginnings of the University, when Henry Lewis and Saunders Lewis taught at the Department.
Our REF2021 Highlights:
- Our research environment is rated as 100% conducive to producing research of world-leading or internationally excellent quality.
- 100% of our research environment is rated world-leading or internationally excellent, an increase of 67.4%.
- The quality of our research outputs is rated as world-leading, internationally excellent, or internationally recognised in terms of originality, significance and rigour.
- 40.9% of research outputs are rated as world-leading, an increase of 32.1%.
- Research income increased by 158%.
- PhDs awarded increased by 81%
We work closely with a number of other departments, both nationally and internationally, and we are part of the Research Consortium that includes a number of Welsh and Celtic Studies departments from across the United Kingdom.
We also work closely with a number of researchers in other fields within Swansea University, including English, History, Politics, Modern Languages, Media, Healthcare and Law.
Recent Publications
Recent publications by staff of the Department of Welsh include:
- Parcio, Tudur Hallam
- Y Gyfraith yn ein Llên, R. Gwynedd Parry
- Cyrraedd a Cherddi Eraill, Alan Llwyd
- Comparative Stylistics of Welsh and English - Arddulleg y Gymraeg, K.J.Rottet and S.Morris
- Saunders y Dramodydd, Tudur Hallam
- Kate: Cofiant Kate Roberts 1891-1985, Alan Llwyd
- Bob: Cofiant R. Williams Parry 1884-1956, Alan Llwyd
- Waldo Williams: Cerddi 1922-1970, edited by Alan Llwyd and Robert Rhys
- Rhwng y Llinellau, Christine James
- Machlud Cyfraith Hywel, edited by Christine James
- Canolfannau Cymraeg a Rhwydweithiau Cymdeithasol Oedolion sy’n Dysgu’r Gymraeg – Steve Morris and Heini Gruffudd
- Huw Jones o Langwm, A. Cynfael Lake
Research Projects
The Department of Welsh is involved in a number of research projects, such as the National Corpus of Contemporary Welsh. Steve Morris is a member of the management team and Alex Lovell is co-investigator on this project. A research assistant in the department is also a part of the project.
Another staff member, Dr Gwennan Higham, is a member of the international project consortium COMBI (‘Communication competences for migrants and disadvantaged background learners in bilingual work environments’). The consortium is made up of 6 partners from 5 European countries.
Past research publications
Notable past research publications by staff of the Department of Welsh include Datblygiad yr Iaith Gymraeg (Henry Lewis), Williams Pantycelyn (Saunders Lewis), Elfennau Gramadeg Cymraeg (Stephen J. Williams), Y Treigladau a'u Cystrawen (T. J. Morgan), Gaulish Personal Names (D. Ellis Evans), Morgan Llwyd y Llenor (Hugh Bevan), Gŵyl Gwalia: Yr Eisteddfod yn Oes Aur Victoria 1858–1868 (Hywel Teifi Edwards), Hir Oes i’r Iaith (Robert Owen Jones), Cerddi’r Ficer: Detholiad o Gerddi Rhys Prichard (Nesta Lloyd), Studies on Middle Welsh Literature (Brynley F. Roberts), (Dafydd Johnston et. al.), Y Gymraeg a Phobl Ifanc (Heini Gruffudd). This, of course, is only a small selection, which does not include all the works of current staff. It is but a taste of the research tradition in the Department of Welsh. There are currently many projects underway in the fields of linguistic planning, applied linguistics, the literature and culture of Wales, past and present, and creative writing.
Two annual commemorative lectures are held, the Henry Lewis Memorial Lecture and the Hywel Teifi Edwards Memorial Lecture. The Department also holds regular series of research seminars.