Elen Bonner has a strong interest in the sustainability of rural communities, with a particular focus on the relationship between the economy, migration, and the Welsh language. During her PhD, she conducted a systematic review of the evidence on the impact of various economic dimensions on the Welsh language, as well as developing a unique typology explaining factors influencing Welsh speakers' decisions regarding migration. She has presented her research in a variety of forums and has regularly contributed to meetings with Welsh Government and local government officials.

Currently, Elen works as a Postdoctoral Research Associate for the Local Policy and Innovation Partnership (LPIP) for Rural Wales. In her role, she supports the ‘responsive research’ element of the project, investigating some of the most pressing challenges faced by rural communities. Previously, she worked as a researcher on a project funded by the Arfor Challenge Fund, aimed at addressing challenges in recruiting bilingual staff. Other projects she has contributed to include research on community use of the Welsh language and the impact of the tourism sector on the Welsh language.

These experiences have helped her develop strong research skills, including conducting a literature review, research tool design, qualitative data collection and analysis, and presenting research to diverse audiences.

Elen is currently undertaking a Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education and has previously contributed to university teaching provision as a Welsh-medium Sociology tutor. She is also an Associate Lecturer with the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol.

• Post-graduate Certificate in Research Methods
  2021
• MA: Community Development
  2017
• BA: Fine Art
  University College for the Creative Arts, 2006

2024

• PublishedCymraeg 2050: Rôl yr economi wrth ymdrechu tua’r miliwn
  Bonner, E., 1 Jun 2024
  Research output: Non-textual form › Web publication/site
• E-pub ahead of printDefining economic impact on minority languages: The Case of Wales
  Bonner, E., Prys, C., Mitchelmore, S. & Hodges, R., 21 Mar 2024, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development. 17 p.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedDylanwad y Gymraeg ar benderfyniadau mudo ei siaradwyr
  Bonner, E. (Other), 17 Jul 2024
  Research output: Non-textual form › Web publication/site
• PublishedMigration through a language planning lens: A typology of Welsh speakers' migration decisions
  Bonner, E., Prys, C., Hodges, R. & Mitchelmore, S., 7 Aug 2024, In: Current issues in language planning. 25, 4, p. 394-415 22 p.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2023

• PublishedDefnyddio'r Gymraeg mewn Cymunedau yn Ynys Mon
  Hodges, R., Prys, C., Bonner, E. (Contributor), Orrell, A. (Contributor) & Gruffydd, I. (Contributor), 28 Jul 2023, 85 p.
  Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report

2025

• Taith Iaith i Wlad y Basg

  Erthygl i Gwerddon Fach ar Golwg 360

  1 Jan 2025

  Activity: Types of Public engagement and outreach - Media article or participation (Contributor)

2024

• Bilingual Workforce Recruitment Pack

  Presentation to the Welsh Language Programme Board (Welsh Government).

  20 Nov 2024

  Activity: Oral presentation (Speaker)
• Bilingual Workforce Recruitment Pack

  Presentation to the Welsh Council Partnership Board (Welsh Government). Chaired by Mark Drakeford, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Welsh Language.

  18 Nov 2024

  Activity: Oral presentation (Speaker)
• Sharing Best Practice - Migration of Young People

  Online event arranged by the Arfor project to share best practice and research around youth migration. Speakers included: Dorthe Frydendahl, Ringkøbing-Skjern Municipality, Denmark; Donald Weir, Highlands and Islands, Scotland; Elen Bonner, Bangor Univeristy; Huw Lewis, Aberystwyth University; Jade Owen, Menter Môn.

  6 Sep 2024

  Activity: Invited talk (Speaker)
• The Economy and the Welsh Language: Arfor and beyond

  A session led by Aberystwyth University at the Eisteddfod discussing the findings of evaluating the Arfor programme promoting entrepreneurship and economic development to support the Welsh language strongholds and the next steps of an economic agenda to support the Welsh language in Wales.

  Panel Members:

  Elen Bonner, Bangor University;

  Adam Price MS, Carmarthen East and Dinefwr;

  Llŷr Roberts, Mentera;

  Ioan Teifi, Wavehill.

  Chair: Dr Elin Royles, Aberystwyth University.

  9 Aug 2024

  Activity: Invited talk (Speaker)
• Trafodaeth Gweithleoedd Cymraeg

  Arfor event at the Eisteddfod discussing Welsh language workplaces.

  Panel members:

  Elen Bonner, Bangor University;

  Catrin Llwyd, University of Wales Trinity St David;

  Dr Arwel Williams, Bangor University.

  Chair: Professor Elin Haf Gruffydd Jones, University of Wales Trinity St David.

  9 Aug 2024

  Activity: Invited talk (Speaker)
• Cynhadledd 'Methodolegau ymchwil ac ymchwil i ieithoedd rhanbarthol neu leiafrifol /Research methodologies and regional or minority language research

  Presentation: Understanding the migration decisions of Welsh speakers: Why a typology?

  10 Jul 2024

  Activity: Participation in Academic conference (Speaker)
• Possible research methods for use within the individual project

  Invited speaker to present at the Welsh Baccalaureate Teachers and Advisors Conference organised by Bangor University. The presentation referenced 'Pecyn Adnoddau Amlgyfrwng Cymdeithaseg' (Welsh medium multimedia sociology resource pack) created by Dr Rhian Hodges and Dr Cyngor Prys with support from the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol.

  5 Jul 2024

  Activity: Oral presentation (Speaker)
• Bilingual Recruitment Challenges Project - Co-production workshops

  A series of co-produced workshops with public, private and third sector employers from Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire, Gwynedd and Môn discussing challenges and good practice in recruiting a workforce with skills in the Welsh language. As part of a project funded by the Cronfa Her Arfor Fund.

  Jul 2024 – Sep 2024

  Activity: Types of Public engagement and outreach - Public lecture/debate/seminar (Contributor)

2023

• Language use and language progression: some examples from a Welsh Context

  Presentation with Dr Cynog Prys, Dr Rhian Hodges and Llywela Haf Owain at the University of the Basque Country.

  8 Nov 2023

  Activity: Invited talk (Speaker)
• 'ARFOR, Out-migration and the Welsh language

  The event discussed contemporary research from Wales focusing on the topic

  of out-migration and considering its relevance to the work of the ARFOR II programme.

  There were presentations from Dr Huw Lloyd-Williams (Wavehill), Professor Mike

  Woods (Aberystwyth University), Elen Bonner (Bangor University) and Dr Lowri

  Cunnington Wynn (Aberystwyth University).

  3 Nov 2023

  Activity: Invited talk (Speaker)
• Stay, leave or return: A typology of Welsh speakers' migration decisions

  Presentation as part of an event led by Arfor at the Royal Welsh Show attended by Jeremy Miles, MS.

  26 Jul 2023

  Activity: Invited talk (Speaker)
• WISERD Annual Conference 2023

  Presentation: 'Stay, leave, return: A typology of Welsh speakers' migration decisions'.

  29 Jun 2023

  Activity: Participation in Academic conference (Speaker)

2022

• Cynhadledd Ymchwil Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol

  Presentation: 'Dylanwad polisiau, gweithgareddau a thueddiadau economaidd ar y Gymraeg' (The influence of economic policies, activites and trends on the Welsh language).

  30 Jun 2022

  Activity: Participation in Academic conference (Speaker)
• Cynhadledd Iaith a Busnes

  Presentation: 'Dylanwad yr economi ar y Gymraeg' (The influence of the economy on the Welsh language'.

  24 Jun 2022

  Activity: Participation in Academic conference (Speaker)