Elen Bonner is a Doctoral Researcher at Bangor University with particular expertise in studying the relationship between the economy, migration and the Welsh language. Her PhD is supported by the Martin Rhisiart Scholarship via the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol. As part of her doctoral work she undertook a systematic review of what is known about the influence of different dimensions of the economy on the Welsh language and developed a unique typology that captures what drives the decisions of speakers of the Welsh language in relation to migration. This is the most current and comprehensive literary review on the influence of the economy on the Welsh language.

She has presented her work to various forums including 'Rhwydiaith', a network co-ordinated by the Welsh Local Government Association for language officers, as well as contributing to meetings with Welsh Government and Arfor officials.

Recently, Elen has been working as a research assistant on projects exploring community use of Welsh and the influence of the tourism sector on language. This, combined with her experience as a PhD student, has fostered strong investigative skills including reviewing literature, creating research tools, collecting and analysing qualitative data and delivering research to diverse audiences. She is currently working as a researcher on a project funded through the Arfor Challenge Fund which aims to address the challenge of recruiting bilingual staff.

Elen contributes to the University's teaching programme as a Welsh-medium Sociology tutor and she is also an Associate Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol Lecturer. 

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

Undergraduate

SCS1004 - Cymdeithaseg a'r Byd Cyfoes

SCU2001 - Dulliau Ymchwil

SCS3010 - Hawliau Ieithyddol 

SCU1006 - Rhaniadau Cymdeithasol

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

2024

• 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)