Gareth Evans-Jones

Introduction

I came to Bangor University in 2009 to study for a BA in Welsh and Religious Studies. Having graduated in 2012, I completed an MA in Welsh and Creative Writing, before undertaking a PhD project funded by the AHRC under the joint-supervision of the School of Philosophy and Religion and the School of Welsh, Bangor University. Following that, I was appointed Lecturer of Philosophy and Religion.

Academic Research

My doctoral research examined the religious responses among the Welsh in the United States to the issue of nineteenth century slavery. The thesis was later published as a monograph in 2022 by the University of Wales Press: ‘Mae’r Beibl o’n tu’: ymatebion crefyddol y Cymry yn America i gaethwasiaeth (1838-1868).

As my PhD project suggests, my academic interests are diverse and interdisciplinary, and include: biblical studies; the reception history of the Bible and its role in contemporary issues; religion, literature and society; the history of slavery and ethics; Judaism and Christianity, and their interfaith dialogue; Sikhism and Confucianism; Ecology and Religion; Ancient Philosophy; The Problem of Evil; Welsh Nonconformity and the Welsh in America; nineteenth century print culture; and the role played by religion in maintaining ethnic and national identities in diasporic communities.

I am continuing to explore slavery and religion, and I am currently researching certain aspects of modern Zionism.

As I have a keen interest in various fields, I teach diverse modules including the history of ethics, Judaism and Christianity, and the role of religion in contemporary ecological issues.

National Centre for Religious Education in Wales

In October 2022, I was appointed the co-director of the National Centre for Religious Education in Wales with Dr Joshua Andrews. The aim of the Centre is to ensure that Religious Education, Ethics, Philosophy and Values as significant subjects are cared for and supported sufficiently in primary and secondary schools in Wales. We will be working with teachers, NATRE groups, RE Hubs UK, and faith groups to develop the education that currently exists and emphasise the relevance of this extremely important subject in our multifaith and multicultural society.

Creative work

I also write creatively and in October 2018 I published a novel concerning the experiences of the Jews during the Holocaust, Eira Llwyd ['Grey Snow'] (Gwasg y Bwthyn). Eira Llwyd was named Book of the Month for November 2018 by the Welsh Book Council. In 2023, my latest novel, which explores how witches are depicted in our society today, Y Cylch (Gwasg y Bwthyn), will be published.

In the 2019 National Eisteddfod held at Llanrwst, I was extremely fortunate to be awarded the Drama Medal for my play, Adar Papur ['paper birds'], which was produced by Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru ['The National Theatre of Wales'] in 2020; and in the 2021 AmGen National Eisteddfod, I was fortunate to win the Drama Medal for my play, Cadi Ffan a Jan ['Cadi Ffan and Jan'], which explored gender stereotypes in contemporary Wales.

In the spring of 2022, a play that I scripted toured Wales: Ynys Alys ['Alys's Island'] (The Frân Wen Company).

In July 2023, Curiadau was published by Barddas, which is the first LGBTQ+ anthology of Welsh literature, comprising of poignant and powerful pieces by 42 different writers.

In 2025, my first children's volume of stories, Llanddafad [Sheepville], was awarded the Reader's Choice Award in the Tir na-nOg Awards.

Position:  Lecturer

Email:      [email protected]

Location: M11a, Main Arts

• The Bible and slavery.
• Slavery and religion.
• Welsh Nonconformity and the religious print culture of the nineteenth century.
• Judaism and Christianity, and their interfaith dialogue.
• Zionism, Judaism, and Christianity.
• Literature and Religion.
• Paganism.

• Ethics: Religious Perspectives
• Introduction to Christianity
• Introduction to Ancient Philosophy
• Anti-Semitism
• Nature and Western Religion.
• Religion, Nationality and Sexuality
• The Holocaust: Philosophical and Religious Responses
• Religion in Wales: From Paganism to Jediism
• Judaism in the Modern World
• The Problem of Evil
• The Transatlantic Slave Trade
• 20th Century Philosophy of Religion
• Tales of Might and Morality
• Independent Study
• Dissertation

Supervise MA/MRes

• I am currently supervising MRes projects in the fields of religious studies and philosophy.

Supervise PhD

• Supervising projects including ones on Heraclitus, and fantasty literature.

• I am willing to supervise PhD projects in the fields of religious studies, literature and religion, and the history of slavery

Administrative Roles

• Personal Tutor
• Director of Welsh-language Matters for Philosophy, Ethics and Religion
• Communications Officer for the School of History, Law and Social Sciences
• Civic Mission Officer for the School of History, Law and Social Sciences

Recognitions/Awards

• Awarded the Creative Nonfiction Literature Wales Book of the Year award in 2023 for my volume, Cylchu Cymru [Circling Wales].
• Awarded a Grant by the British Society of Authors to work on a volume of flash fiction (2021).
• Awarded the Welsh Medium Education Award in the Student Led Teaching Awards 2019.
• Awarded a New Author Scholarship by Literature Wales to work on a novel (2017).
• Awarded an AHRC Scholarship in Celtic Languages to complete my PhD research (2014).
• Awarded a James Pantyfedwen Foundation Scholarship (2013).
• Awarded an Access to Masters (ATM) Scholarship (2012).
• Awarded the Dr John Robert Jones Prize by Bangor University for being one of the ‘students of the year’ (2012).
• Awarded the Sir John Morris-Jones Prize by the School of Welsh, Bangor University for the results of my BA degree examinations (2012).
• Awarded the Robert Richards Prize by Bangor University for my dissertation (2012).
• Awarded the Thomas L. Jones Prize by the School of Welsh, Bangor University for the results of my second year degree examinations (2011).
• Awarded the R. T. Robinson Prize by the School of Theology and Religious Studies, Bangor University, for the ‘most meritorious work in the first year of a Religious Studies degree’ (2010).

Membership

• Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.
• Member of the Council of Christians and Jews (CCJ).
• Member of Bangor University's Senate.

Editorial

• Co-editor of Ysgrifau Beirniadol [Critical Essays] with Dr Elis Dafydd (Department of Welsh and Celtic Studies).