Overview 

Dr. Cynog Prys is a Senior Lecturer at Bangor University, specializing in sociology, social policy, and language planning. He holds a PhD from Bangor University (2011), an MEd from the University of Rio Grande, Ohio (2005), and a First-Class degree in Sociology and Social Policy from Bangor University (2003). He is also a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. His co-authored series of Sociology e-books, Pecyn Adnoddau Amlgyfrwng Cymdeithaseg (Prys and Hodges), won a national award for Outstanding Welsh-Medium Learning Resource of the Year 2023, presented by the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol. 

His main academic research area is the study of Welsh language use in everyday life. His work examines the use of Welsh by the public across various domains, including the community, healthcare, the third sector, and the economy. Additionally, he specializes in the use of minority languages within the digital domain, with a current focus on understanding the implications of artificial intelligence (AI) for minority language speakers. Dr. Prys regularly publishes research in international journals, and his work is referenced in Welsh Government policy documents, including Cymraeg 2050: A Million Welsh Speakers. For further details, see his list of publications. 

 

Welsh in Civil Society 

Dr. Prys’ doctoral thesis (2011) presented a qualitative analysis of the experiences of Welsh language service users and providers in third-sector organizations in Gwynedd and Carmarthenshire. Since 2011, the use of Welsh within civil society has been a key focus of his academic work, resulting in numerous research reports and academic publications exploring Welsh language use in communities. 

Recently, his research has focused on the relationship between the Welsh language and economic factors. In 2024, he was awarded a grant from the ARFOR Challenge Fund to develop a Bilingual Workforce Recruitment Toolkit to assist employers in recruiting staff with Welsh language skills. The aim is to support employers in addressing recruitment challenges while also supporting Welsh-speaking communities by matching Welsh speakers with Welsh-medium jobs, particularly in areas facing concerns about the outmigration of adults with Welsh language skills. 

 

Welsh in the Digital Age 

Dr. Prys has been studying the use of Welsh in the digital world for over a decade. His interest began with a research project examining the use of Welsh on social media (see, for example, the work of Cunliffe et al., 2013). Since then, he has worked on numerous research projects and supervised doctoral studies in the field of language and technology, including work on how Welsh is used on apps and digital platforms. 

Between 2020 and 2023, he served as Deputy Chair of the Language Rights group within the European research network Language in the Human-Machine Era. He contributed to and coordinated several European workshops, conferences, and events on linguistic rights in the digital age. 

For an example of the network’s work, see The Dawn of the Human-Machine Era: A Forecast of New and Emerging Language Technologies: 

The Forecast report. 

More recently, he has been a member of the UniNet (NPLD) working group on Artificial Intelligence and Minority Languages. In 2024, he co-authored a paper titled AI and Minority Language Use, presented at the Network to Promote Linguistic Diversity Conference. 

 

Commissions and Research Projects 

Dr. Prys also has extensive experience publishing commissioned reports for external funders, including the Welsh Language Commissioner, the Welsh Government, S4C, BBC Cymru, Mentrau Iaith Cymru, the Wales Council for Voluntary Action, and other organizations. Additionally, he has collaborated with broadcasting companies such as Cwmni Da and Rondo Media. Contact him to discuss commissioned research work. 

He also supervises several doctoral and MA students in the field of language planning. Current PhD students include: 

  • Artificial Intelligence and Welsh-Medium Education – Beca Owen (Lead Supervisor, funded by the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol). 
  • The Economy and the Welsh Language – Elen Bonner (Lead Supervisor, Martin Rhisiart Scholarship, Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol). 
  • Factors Influencing Language Acquisition Success in the Workplace – Dafydd Apolloni (Co-Supervisor, funded by the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol). 
  • Language Journeys: Young Speakers' Experiences as Welsh Speakers – Charlotte Amesbury (Co-Supervisor). 
  • Welsh in the Digital World: Experiences and Attitudes of Welsh Speakers in Gwynedd Using Welsh or Bilingual Apps – Shân Prichard (Lead Supervisor, KESS Scholarship/Cwmni Da). 
  • Strategic Management of Language Training in Public Sector Workplaces – Ifor Gruffudd. 
  • Viewing Habits and Choices of S4C Audiences – (KESS/S4C Scholarship). 

 

Digital Educational Resources 

Dr. Prys also has extensive experience in developing Welsh-medium educational resources, including the Sociology Multimedia Resource Pack (Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol) and the Digital Learning Materials Project (Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol/HEFCW). The Sociology Multimedia Resource Pack won the national award for Outstanding Welsh-Medium Resource at the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol Annual Awards in 2023. He has a keen interest in using digital technologies in his teaching to enrich the experience of students and learners, particularly in Welsh-medium education. 

  • Sociology Multimedia Resource Pack (Prys and Hodges): 
  • Digital Learning Materials Project (HEFCW/Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol – Prys, Principal Investigator): 

Sociology: Studying Contemporary Wales 

Sociology: Sociological Theory 

 

Broadcasting 

Dr. Prys is a regular contributor to Welsh broadcasting media, appearing on BBC Radio Cymru over 40 times to discuss current issues, including matters related to the Welsh language, the role of culture and social norms in behaviour, and social change, especially in the digital age. He has also contributed to S4C programs and print media. 

Here is a selection of his contributions: 

AI: Y Gwalch neu’r Gwych 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0023fs4 

Codi bawd ac ysgwyd llaw (Podlediad Aled Hughes, BBC Radio Cymru)  

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p09ysqqh 

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2010

2006

2024

  • 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)

2020

2017

2013

  • TU HWNT I’R DOSBARTH – Dyfodol Cynllunio IeithyddolBEYOND THE CLASSROOM – the future of Language Planning

    Symposiwm Cynllunio Ieithyddol rhyngwladol yn trafod yr angen i gynnwys strategaethau cynllunio ieithyddol holistig y tu hwnt i'r ystafell ddosbarth er mwyn hyrwyddo defnydd cymdeithasol fwy eang o ieithoedd lleiafrifol fel y Gymraeg

    An International Language Planning Symposium discussing the need to include holistic language planning strategies beyond the classroom to faciliate wider social use of minoritized languages such as Welsh

    8 Mar 2013

    Activity: Participation in Academic conference (Organiser)