A view of singleton campus including singleton park and the beach, with the sea stretching into the horizon.

Dr Gwennan Higham

Senior Lecturer

Cymraeg

g.e.higham@swansea.ac.uk

Fluent Welsh Speaker

Office - 134
First Floor
James Callaghan
Singleton Campus

Available For Postgraduate Supervision

Research Links

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3431-9840

About

Dr Gwennan Higham is a Senior Lecturer at Swansea University specialising in the sociolinguistics of the Welsh language, with a focus on language policy, migration, and inclusive education. She joined the Department of Welsh in 2016 following an AHRC-funded PhD at Cardiff University on Welsh learning among international migrants as a route to inclusive citizenship.

She currently leads the AHRC-funded impact project Pathways to the Welsh Language for International Migrants, in partnership with IAITH: Welsh Centre for Language Planning. Her broader research portfolio includes work funded by the ESRC, Welsh Government, and Leverhulme Trust on linguistic integration, bilingual education, and early years access for underrepresented communities.

A recipient of the Learned Society of Wales Dillwyn Medal for early career research excellence (2020), she also serves on the Welsh Government’s Commission for Welsh-Speaking Communities and is Co-Investigator on an international Leverhulme project on the ethics of linguistic integration.

Her publications include the monograph Creu Dinasyddiaeth i Gymru (UWP, 2020) and the forthcoming International Migration and the Welsh Language: An Interdisciplinary Framework for Linguistic Integration (UWP, 2025).

Areas Of Expertise

Welsh as a second language
minority languages
linguistic integration
inclusive education
multiculturalism
language policy and planning

Languages Spoken

French
German
Welsh

Career Highlights

Award Highlights

In 2020, she won the Learned Society of Wales’ Dillwyn Medal (Humanities & Creative Arts), awarded in recognition of early career research excellence.

Publications

Research Highlights

Lewis, H., Higham, G., & Chick, M. (2023). Mae’r Gymraeg yn cael ei defnyddio i annog ymfudwyr i deimlo’n gartrefol
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa69427
https://theconversation.com/maer-gymraeg-yn-cael-ei-defnyddio-i-annog-ymfudwyr-i-deimlon-gartrefol-217503
Lewis, H., Higham, G., & Chick, M. (2023). How the Welsh language is being promoted to help migrants feel at home
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa69426
https://theconversation.com/how-the-welsh-language-is-being-promoted-to-help-migrants-feel-at-home-211686
Cox, S., Higham, G., Chick, M., Engman, M., Christmas, C., Brash, B., Platzgummer, V., Cooke, M., & Simpson, J. (2025). Wise in 5: Language Education for Refugees and Migrants in the UK and Ireland
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa69425
https://www.policywise.org.uk/sites/www.policywise.org.uk/files/Wise_In_Five_Refugee%20Languages%20-%20final%20ammends.pdf
Higham, G. (2021). Gwybodaeth Gymraeg: adolygu Hanes Cymry Simon Brooks
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa68097
https://pedwargwynt.cymru/adolygu/gwybodaeth-gymraeg
Higham, G. (2025). International Migration and the Welsh Language: Exploring an Interdisciplinary Framework for Linguistic Integration. In Rhys Dafydd Jones, Catrin Wyn Edwards, Laura Shobiye (Ed.), A Welcoming Nation? Intersectional approaches to migration and diversity in Wales (pp. 31-56). University of Wales Press
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa68096
https://www.uwp.co.uk/book/a-welcoming-nation-edwards-et-al/

All Research

Journal Articles

Augustyniak, A. & Higham, G. (2019). Contesting sub-state integration policies: migrant new speakers as stakeholders in language regimes. Language Policy, 18(4), 513-533.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10993-019-09517-0, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa49155
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10993-019-09517-0
Bermingham, N. & Higham, G. (2018). Immigrants as new speakers in Galicia and Wales: issues of integration, belonging and legitimacy. Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development, 39(5), 394-406.
https://doi.org/10.1080/01434632.2018.1429454, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa38534
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01434632.2018.1429454
Higham, G. (2017). BAAL/CUP Seminar 2016: New plurilingual pathways for integration: Immigrants and language learning in the 21st century. Language Teaching, 50(2), 294-296.
https://doi.org/10.1017/S0261444816000422, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa35987
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/language-teaching/article/div-classtitlebaalcup-seminar-2016-new-plurilingual-pathways-for-integration-immigrants-and-language-learning-in-the-21st-centurydiv/713BD8F062B000B331C4F7B5FAA16C61
Higham, G. (2012). Kate Bosse-Griffiths: Dy bobl di fydd fy mhobl i / Thy people shall be my people. Angermion, 5(1)
https://doi.org/10.1515/anger-2012-0008, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa35079
https://www.degruyter.com/view/j/ang.2012.5.issue-1/anger-2012-0008/anger-2012-0008.xml?format=INT

Authored Books

Higham, G. (2020). Creu Dinasyddiaeth i Gymru: Mewnfudo Rhyngwladol a'r Gymraeg Gwasg Prifysgol Cymru / University of Wales Press.
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa51932

Book Chapters

Higham, G. (2025). International Migration and the Welsh Language: Exploring an Interdisciplinary Framework for Linguistic Integration. In Rhys Dafydd Jones, Catrin Wyn Edwards, Laura Shobiye (Ed.), A Welcoming Nation? Intersectional approaches to migration and diversity in Wales (pp. 31-56). University of Wales Press
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa68096
https://www.uwp.co.uk/book/a-welcoming-nation-edwards-et-al/
Higham, G. (2024). Developing personal integration projects through a Welsh language provision for adult migrants in Wales. In James Simpson, Sari Pöyhönen (Ed.), Minority Language Learning for Adult Migrants in Europe (pp. 115-141). Routledge
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa68075
https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003342892-6/developing-personal-integration-projects-welsh-language-provision-adult-migrants-wales-gwennan-higham
Higham, G. (2014). Teaching Welsh to ESOL students: issues of intercultural citizenship. Language issues in migration and integration: perspectives from teachers and learners (pp. 111-122). British Council
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa35080
https://esol.britishcouncil.org/sites/default/files/Language_issues_migration_integration_perspectives_teachers_learners.pdf

Other Research Outputs

Cox, S., Higham, G., Chick, M., Engman, M., Christmas, C., Brash, B., Platzgummer, V., Cooke, M., & Simpson, J. (2025). Wise in 5: Language Education for Refugees and Migrants in the UK and Ireland
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa69425
https://www.policywise.org.uk/sites/www.policywise.org.uk/files/Wise_In_Five_Refugee%20Languages%20-%20final%20ammends.pdf
Lewis, H., Higham, G., & Chick, M. (2023). Mae’r Gymraeg yn cael ei defnyddio i annog ymfudwyr i deimlo’n gartrefol
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa69427
https://theconversation.com/maer-gymraeg-yn-cael-ei-defnyddio-i-annog-ymfudwyr-i-deimlon-gartrefol-217503
Lewis, H., Higham, G., & Chick, M. (2023). How the Welsh language is being promoted to help migrants feel at home
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa69426
https://theconversation.com/how-the-welsh-language-is-being-promoted-to-help-migrants-feel-at-home-211686
Higham, G. (2021). Gwybodaeth Gymraeg: adolygu Hanes Cymry Simon Brooks
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa68097
https://pedwargwynt.cymru/adolygu/gwybodaeth-gymraeg
Higham, G. (2021). Lleisiau Ffoaduriaid Cymru / Refugee Voices Wales
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa57481
https://vimeo.com/581106410
Higham, G. (2020). Migrants, multilingualism and the Welsh language
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa56129
https://wales.britishcouncil.org/en/blog/migrants-multilingualism-and-welsh-language
Higham, G. (2018). A Report on the Role of Minority Languages in Healthcare: A Theoretical and Practical Analysis
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa51933
https://combiproject.eu/wp-content/uploads/COMBI-output-O1.pdf
Higham, G. (2017). Rhyngddiwylliannedd
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa38533
https://wici.porth.ac.uk/index.php/Rhyngddiwylliannedd
Higham, G. (2016). Dysgu Cymraeg i Fewnfudwyr: Llunio Llwybr at Ddinasyddiaeth Gynhwysol Gymreig
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa38532
http://orca.cf.ac.uk/96723/1/PhD.pdf

Supervision

Strategic Bilingualism: identifying optimal context for Welsh as a second language in the curriculum (KS3-4) (current)

PhD

Other supervisor: Prof Tess Fitzpatrick
Untitled (current)

PhD

Other supervisor: Dr Vivienne Rogers

Other supervisor: Dr Alex Southern
Exploring a Multilingual Participatory Approach with ESOL Sanctuary Seekers in Wales: Action Research (current)

PhD

Other supervisor: Dr Vivienne Rogers
Attitude and Identity in Wales’ Primary and Secondary Schools (current)

PhD

Other supervisor: Dr Vivienne Rogers
Archwilio Amlygrwydd ac Arwyddocâd yr Anghyfieithadwy parthed Cyfieithu yng Nghymru Gyfoes (current)

PhD

Other supervisor: Dr Kathryn Jones
Linguistic dominance and minoritized language communities: English use in Iraqi Kurdistan (current)

PhD

Other supervisor: Dr Geraldine Lublin
Tuag at eiriadur dwyieithog o gydleoliadau Cymraeg. (current)

PhD

Other supervisor: Prof Tudur Hallam
‘Dinasyddion ifainc Cymru ddwyieithog mewn byd amlieithog? --y berthynas rhwng y Gymraeg (yn y blynyddoedd cynnar) a'r Cwricwlwm Newydd i Gymru (current)

PhD

Other supervisor: Dr Geraldine Lublin
Navigating Sanctuary, Symbolism and “Yr Iaith Gymraeg”: The Stories of Women Resettling in Cymru/Wales (awarded 2024)

PhD

Other supervisor: Prof Gwynedd Parry
Y Gymraeg mewn Addysg Uwch: Cyfle a Her Sut mae annog y defnydd o’r Gymraeg yng nghyd-destun Addysg Uwch? (current)

MA

Other supervisor: Prof Gwynedd Parry

Taught Modules

CY-130 Defnyddio'r Iaith

Nod y cwrs yw cyflwyno 80 awr o ddysgu dwys a fydd yn rhoi sylfaen ieithyddol gref i'r myfyrwyr. Bydd y pwyslais ar feistroli'r patrymau'r iaith lafar. Yn ogystal a datblygu'r sgiliau hyn, bydd cyfle iddynt gyflwyno gwaith ysgrifenedig wythnosol. Bydd y cwrs yn arfog'r myfyrwyr yn ieithyddol ar gyfer y radd BA yn y Gymraeg.
CY-131 Defnyddio'r Iaith 2

Nod y modiwl hwn fydd adeiladu ar y gwaith a gyflwynwyd yn Cyflwyno¿r Sylfeini yn Semestr 1. Rhoddir sylw i¿r is-gymalau, yr arddodiaid, cymharu ansoddeiriau, lluosogi enwau a¿r ffurfiau berfol. Cyflwynir nifer o elfennau¿r iaith lenyddol i¿r myfyrwyr ochr yn ochr â¿r ffurfiau llafar a astudiwyd yn Cyflwyno¿r Sylfeini. Bydd hyn yn cyfoethogi a dyfnhau eu profiad o¿r iaith fel y gallant droi o¿r naill gywair i¿r llall. Bydd cyfle i¿r myfyrwyr drafod ac ymarfer arddulliau ysgrifennu gwahanol megis ysgrifennu llythyr portread ac adolygiad gan ailddrafftio gwaith a thrafod gwallau. Rhodir sylw hefyd i eirfa a phriod-ddulliau.
CY-132 Cadarnhau'r Seiliau

Bydd y modiwl hwn yn canolbwyntio ar gadarnhau sgiliau ysgrifennu, gwrando a darllen y myfyrwyr ac yn eu harfogi'n ieithyddol ar gyfer y radd BA yn y Gymraeg. Yn ogystal â datblygu'r sgiliau hyn, bydd yn cynnig cyfle i fyfyrwyr ddadansoddi gwallau ac ymgyfarwyddo â ffurfiau a chyweiriau anffurfiol y Gymraeg ac amrywiadau tafodieithol.
CY-136 Sgiliau Beirniadol

Bydd y modiwl hwn yn meithrin sgiliau beirniadol myfyrwyr trwy eu hyfforddi i adnabod nodweddion amryfal ffurfiau llenyddol ac i allu eu trafod yn feirniadol. Trwy ddefnyddio detholiad o destunau cyfoes a fydd yn cynnwys gweithiau buddugol yr Eisteddfod Genedlaethol ddiweddaraf daw'r myfyrwyr yn ymwybodol o natur y diwylliant llenyddol a chelfyddydol Cymraeg.
CY-145 Cyfathrebu a Chyflwyno 1

Y mae hwn yn un o ddau fodiwl llafar gorfodol yn y flwyddyn gyntaf ar gyfer y myfyrwyr sy'n dilyn y llwybr ail iaith ac sy'n dilyn rhaglen gradd sengl. Yn yr ail semester byddwch yn dilyn Sgiliau Cyflwyno a Chyfathrebu 2. Y mae gwaith llafar yn elfen bwysig yn y rhaglen BA Cymraeg, a bydd y gwaith a wneir yn y flwyddyn gyntaf yn cael ei ddatblygu a'i estyn mewn modiwlau eraill yn yr ail a'r drydedd flwyddyn. Nod y ddau fodiwl yn y flwyddyn gyntaf fydd meithrin hyder a meithrin sgiliau'r myfyrwyr wrth siarad a sgwrsio, ac wrth gyflwyno a chyfathrebu ar lafar. Bydd y pwyslais ar wrando a gwylio ac ymateb i hynny, ar sgwrsio, ar weithio fel unigolyn ac fel aelod o grwp, ac ar ddarllen ar goedd. Bydd y ddau fodiwl yn atgyfnerthu'r gwaith a wneir yn y modiwlau iaith gorfodol, a bydd y myfyrwyr yn cael y cyfle i ymarfer y patrymau a'r eirfa a ddysgwyd ac a feistrolwyd fel rhan o'r modiwlau hynny.
CY-149 Meistroli’r Iaith

Dysgwch sut i wella eich sgiliau ysgrifennu! Bwriad y modiwl hwn yw eich cyflwyno i elfennau o ramadeg y Gymraeg ac arbrofi gyda chyweiriau iaith gwahanol. The aim of this module is to introduce you to elements of Welsh grammar and to experiment with different language registers.
CY-154 Ieithoedd Lleiafrifol:Pwer a Pholisi

Mae¿r modiwl yma¿n cyflwyno cyd-destun ieithoedd lleiafrifol a lleiafrifedig ledled y byd, gan amlygu¿r tebygrwydd a¿r gwahaniaethau yng nghyd-destun y Gymraeg yng Nghymru. Byddwn yn archwilio detholiad o gyd-destunau ieithyddol o Brydain, Ewrop a thu hwnt, gan ganolbwyntio ar rôl ieithoedd lleiafrifol a¿r ffactorau cymdeithasol, economaidd a gwleidyddol sy¿n dylanwadu arnynt. Byddwch yn cael eich cefnogi i greu cymhariaeth rhwng y Gymraeg a chyd-destunau ieithoedd lleiafrifiedig eraill, gan ddatblygu dealltwriaeth ehangach o amrywiaeth ieithyddol a¿i oblygiadau. This module introduces examples of minority and minoritised language contexts across the globe, highlighting both similarities and differences with the Welsh language context in Wales. Minority language contexts from the UK, Europe, and beyond will be explored, focusing on the role of minority languages and the social, economic, and political factors that influence them. You will be supported in drawing comparisons between Welsh and other minoritised language contexts, developing a broader understanding of linguistic diversity and its implications
CY-245 Canu Gwleidyddol

Archwilir beth yw canu protest ar y modiwl hwn gan ddefnyddio¿r canu hwnnw fel lens i edrych ar ddatblygiad y Gymru gyfoes. Cyflwynir gwaith trawstoriad o feirdd a chantorion gan archwilio¿r elfen brotestgar yn eu gwaith. Trwy gyfrwng y cerddi a¿r caneuon hwn, caiff myfyrwyr dod i ddeall mwy am rai o drobwyntiau¿r iaith Gymaeg a rhai datblygiadau ym maes llenyddiaeth a chanu cyfoes

Key Grants and Projects

Communication competences for migrants in bilingual work communities 2016 - 2019
Attitudes and motivations of Persian-speaking migrants in Finland towards learning the Swedish language 2020
The Ethics of Linguistic Integration: realities, expectations, prospects (RPG-2024-032) 2024 - 2027

, with Professor Leigh Oakes, Dr Huw Lewis, Dr Yael Peled
Pathways to the Welsh language for international migrants: Community Engagement Impact Study 2025 - 2026

, with Dr Kathryn Jones (IAITH), Dr Gwenllian Lansdown Davies (Mudiad Meithrin)
Pathways to the Welsh Language for International Migrants – Secondment to IAITH: Welsh Centre for Language Planning 2025

Career History

Lecturer, Swansea University

2016 - 2019
Senior Lecturer, Swansea University

2020 - Present

Invited Presentations, Lectures and Conferences

“Iaith Pawb”: le gallois, une langue pour tout le monde

2014

Conseil supérieur de la langue française, Quebec
Will Kymlicka in conversation with: Dr Gwennan Higham, Swansea University – ‘Teaching Welsh to immigrants'

2018

Linguistic Diversity and Justice Seminar, Cardiff University
Communication competences for migrants in bilingual work communities

2018

European Parliament, Strasbourg (Intergroup for Traditional Minorities, National Communities and Languages)
Exploring identity, belongingness and legitimacy amongst immigrant new speakers of minority languages

2018

Invited Colloquia at Sociolinguistics Symposium 21, University of Auckland
Teaching Welsh to immigrants: platform to an inclusive Welsh citizenship

2018

Svenska kulturfonden: Swedish Cultural Foundation in Finland
“Bringing people together around British values and that kind of thing”: Debating beyond multiculturalism and community cohesion

2019

Celtic Sociolinguistics Symposium, University of Galway
Henry Lewis Memorial Lecture: Language of Refuge: Wales as a Nation of Sanctuary

2020

Swansea University

Dr Gwennan Higham

Email address

Welsh language proficiency

Twitter Account

LinkedIn Account

Research Links

About

Areas Of Expertise

Languages Spoken

Career Highlights

Research Highlights

All Research

Strategic Bilingualism: identifying optimal context for Welsh as a second language in the curriculum (KS3-4) (current)

Untitled (current)

Exploring a Multilingual Participatory Approach with ESOL Sanctuary Seekers in Wales: Action Research (current)

Attitude and Identity in Wales’ Primary and Secondary Schools (current)

Archwilio Amlygrwydd ac Arwyddocâd yr Anghyfieithadwy parthed Cyfieithu yng Nghymru Gyfoes (current)

Linguistic dominance and minoritized language communities: English use in Iraqi Kurdistan (current)

Tuag at eiriadur dwyieithog o gydleoliadau Cymraeg. (current)

‘Dinasyddion ifainc Cymru ddwyieithog mewn byd amlieithog? --y berthynas rhwng y Gymraeg (yn y blynyddoedd cynnar) a'r Cwricwlwm Newydd i Gymru (current)

Navigating Sanctuary, Symbolism and “Yr Iaith Gymraeg”: The Stories of Women Resettling in Cymru/Wales (awarded 2024)

Y Gymraeg mewn Addysg Uwch: Cyfle a Her Sut mae annog y defnydd o’r Gymraeg yng nghyd-destun Addysg Uwch? (current)

CY-130 Defnyddio'r Iaith

CY-131 Defnyddio'r Iaith 2

CY-132 Cadarnhau'r Seiliau

CY-136 Sgiliau Beirniadol

CY-145 Cyfathrebu a Chyflwyno 1

CY-149 Meistroli’r Iaith

CY-154 Ieithoedd Lleiafrifol:Pwer a Pholisi

CY-245 Canu Gwleidyddol

Pathways to the Welsh language for international migrants: Community Engagement Impact Study 2025 - 2026

Pathways to the Welsh Language for International Migrants – Secondment to IAITH: Welsh Centre for Language Planning 2025

Lecturer, Swansea University

Senior Lecturer, Swansea University

“Iaith Pawb”: le gallois, une langue pour tout le monde

Will Kymlicka in conversation with: Dr Gwennan Higham, Swansea University – ‘Teaching Welsh to immigrants'

Communication competences for migrants in bilingual work communities

Exploring identity, belongingness and legitimacy amongst immigrant new speakers of minority languages

Teaching Welsh to immigrants: platform to an inclusive Welsh citizenship

“Bringing people together around British values and that kind of thing”: Debating beyond multiculturalism and community cohesion

Henry Lewis Memorial Lecture: Language of Refuge: Wales as a Nation of Sanctuary