About Us
In the field of literature, Swansea scholars have edited texts from many periods, from medieval to recent times. Under the leadership of Professor Dafydd Johnston, Swansea hosted the Dafydd ap Gwilym project, which is an invaluable resource for researchers and school pupils. Other past editorial projects of note include the collection of Huw Jones' ballads, edited by A. Cynfael Lake, and Christine James’ edition of the complete works of twentieth century poet, Gwenallt, Cerddi Gwenallt: Y Casgliad Cyflawn. Recent editions include A. Cynfael Lake's two-volume edition of the work of fifteenth century poet Hywel Dafi, Gwaith Hywel Dafi, as well as two volumes on twentieth century literature, Waldo Williams: Cerddi 1922-1970, edited by Robert Rhys and Alan Llwyd, and a collection of poems dedicated to the Aber-fan tragedy, Dagrau Tost: Cerddi Aber-fan, a joint project between Christine James (Swansea) and E. Wyn James (Cardiff).
In the close reading tradition of Saunders Lewis and Hugh Bevan, many of our scholars continue to explore literary texts, illuminating the life and work of our poets and writers. One notable contribution of late is Alan Llwyd’s series of biographies on twentieth century authors - Kate Roberts, R. Williams Parry, Gwenallt, Waldo, and most recently, T. Gwynn Jones. Tudur Hallam and Robert Rhys contributed chapters to The Cambridge History of Welsh Literature, co-edited by Geraint Evans of Swansea. And in the spirit of the late Hywel Teifi Edwards, another prominent scholar who held the Chair of Welsh, Swansea scholars often give public lectures on literature, both in Wales and internationally, such as the Chatterton Lecture on Poetry which Tudur Hallam delivered on Saunders Lewis and Dylan Thomas to the British Academy (available below).
Researchers in Welsh also work in the fields of theater and media, and our recent publications include Elain Price's monograph, ‘Nid Sianel Deledu Gyffredin Mohoni’: Hanes Sefydlu S4C, a historical account of S4C’s formation, and Hannah Sams’ comparative article on the Welsh and Catalan playwrights, Aled Jones Willians and Sergi Belbel, published in Llên Cymru.
Furthermore, the legal expert R. Gwynedd Parry recently published an interdisciplinary book, Y Gyfraith yn Ein Llên [trans. The Law in our Literature], a panoramic account of the how the legal system is portrayed in Welsh literature, which won him the Hywel Dda Award. Similarly, Simon Brooks’ work fuses together several disciplines, including cultural studies, history, sociolinguistics and politics, as seen in his recent books, Hanes Cymry, an account of ethnic minorities in Wales, and Why Wales Never Was: the Failure of Welsh Nationalism.
Furthermore, the legal expert R. Gwynedd Parry recently published an interdisciplinary book, Y Gyfraith yn Ein Llên [trans. The Law in our Literature], a panoramic account of the how the legal system is portrayed in Welsh literature, which won him the Hywel Dda Award. Similarly, Simon Brooks’ work fuses together several disciplines, including cultural studies, history, sociolinguistics and politics, as seen in his recent books, Hanes Cymry, an account of ethnic minorities in Wales, and Why Wales Never Was: the Failure of Welsh Nationalism.
Within literary studies, members of the Creative Writing Group, both staff and students, produce original literary and dramatic works. Members come together to discuss compositions and issues relevant to poets, writers and playwrights, such as the 'AR DAITH' series held during the pandemic in 2021, with Alan Llwyd, Christine James, Aneirin Karadog and Heather Muse sharing travel poems, in discussion with audience members and the chair Tudur Hallam. Members of the group often perform their work, e.g. at the National Eisteddfod and at Tafwyl festival each year. The group's publications include several volumes of poetry by Tudur Hallam, Christine James, Aneirin Karadog, Alan Llwyd and Grug Muse, who also co-edited an anthology of contemporary verse, Dweud y Drefn Pan Nad oes Trefn. In the field of drama, Wyn Mason composed his play Gwlad yr Asyn, a co-production by his company Os Nad Nawr and Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru.
