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​Where are you from? South London and North Wales.  I spent summers in Denbighshire as a child and made a permanent move to live in Blaenau Ffestiniog in 2020. 

What is the subject of your doctoral research project? Religion, community and tenancy.  Kinship structures in Ysbyty Ifan 1851-1921. 

What are your main research interests? The main research interests I have are social history with focus on Victorian rural experiences, particularly in the North West Wales regions. 

Tell us about your career so far and what led you to ISWE and your doctoral research project? 

I have a background of working in the health and social care sector, but I have wanted to be a researcher since I worked for a book packager in the early 1990s.  While raising my daughter, I wanted to improve my chances of getting a job that I really enjoyed, so I enrolled with the Open University.  I have been interested from a very early age in Tudor and Victorian history, living very close to Hampton Court, whilst often visiting relatives based near London Bridge and Dickens’ London. Despite my keen interest in historical matters, I had no qualification to reflect this, so I opted to do a history degree. 

I graduated in 2018, having finished the course with the newly offered Welsh History module.  I had been studying my family tree for some years, so I utilised the data I had gathered to complete my dissertation on a lesser considered Welsh identity that I felt was missing in the university module.  It was a well-received piece of work and led to me lecturing at the 2019 British Conference for Undergraduate Research (BCUR) at the University of South Wales. The experience made me certain I was right to continue with a MA Hanes Cymraeg at Prifysgol ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ where I happily qualified in 2020.  

Recently I was asked to assist with a project in my family’s village Ysbyty Ifan where I spent my childhood summers. Hafan Ifan is how the community will protect and prolong the use of St John’s church for future use. I hope the work I’m doing in the PhD will tell a story of a community that works together to endure.      

What is your favourite thing about ISWE and being a doctoral researcher? To be researching Wales's shared history with people who are interested in bringing the culture, and often less remembered events in Wales's story, to a wider audience is truly inspiring. Every day is a new discovery. 

What is your proudest achievement since joining ISWE? It's early days but sharing my project with fellow researchers and getting great feedback whilst finding out the equally interesting themes of their work too.  

What is your favourite historical period and why? I am interested in social history, chiefly what the working-class experience was and how it was affected by world, metropolitan and community events.  My main interest is 18³Ù³ó–19th century rural history, particularly in North Wales.  

Your favourite place in Wales? I love Merionethshire, its people, its history, its landscape and it's my home for these reasons. 

Can you recommend any books, TV shows, podcasts, blogs that you have enjoyed recently? Killing Thatcher, despite a title that maybe marmite to some I found it a book that held my attention throughout, a well-paced informative narrative describing complex events yet is also a book that is ultimately a testament to the power of overcoming human frailties and forgiveness. I always listen to Armando Iannucci’s podcast 'Strong Message Here' about the use of political language.  

What are your hobbies or favourite extracurricular activities? Have you got any other interesting projects on the go? I DJ in my spare time, having learnt to mix many years ago.  Music has always played a big part in my life.  It soothes my soul and keeps me focused. I am also part of a community writing/mapping project in Blaenau Ffestiniog which keeps me connected to the local people.