Appointed Deputy Pro-Vice Chancellor for Welsh Language, Heritage and Culture in 2023, Gwenno has strategic responsibility for ensuring that Welsh language, culture and heritage are embedded into all aspects of university life.
The brief includes enhancing the student experience through enabling access to Welsh language learning and teaching, as well as driving forward Welsh language research and enterprise initiatives, and supporting and enhancing the Welsh language, culture and heritage more widely as part of the University’s civic mission. An alumnus of Aberystwyth University (BA Welsh, 1997; PhD in Film Studies, 2002), Gwenno entered the higher education sector as a Lecturer in Media and Communication at the University of Wales Bangor in 2002 before joining the Media and Communication Department at Swansea University in 2005. She has published and lectured extensively, in both Welsh and English, on Welsh film, television and culture, and between 2003 and 2013 was editor of ‘Cyfrwng: Media Wales Journal'.
Appointed Director of Academi Hywel Teifi in 2011, Gwenno continues to lead this unique centre which aims to inspire students of all ages and backgrounds at the University and in the wider community to make the most of opportunities available to study through the medium of Welsh or to learn Welsh and to enrich their educational experience and to improve their employability prospects. The Academi collaborates with several national funding and regulatory bodies to promote this agenda, including the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol, the National Centre for Learning Welsh and the office of the Welsh Language Commissioner. The Academi also manages Tŷ'r Gwrhyd, the University's Welsh Centre in Pontardawe.
Gwenno represents the University on the Academi Heddwch Cymru Steering Group, on the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol’s Academic Board and Advisory Group, and is a Welsh for Adults Peer Inspector for Estyn.
