My academic research interests generally fall within the domain of early modern history, especially eighteenth-century Welsh history. I am enthusiastic about early evangelical history in Wales and the wider world, particularly as this found expression in the life and work of Thomas Charles of Bala (1755–1814), William Williams, Pantycelyn (1717–91), and the American philosopher-theologian Jonathan Edwards (1703–58). I am a member of the Wesley Historical Society (WHS) and I have contributed to their journal.
I learnt Welsh as a second language in comprehensive school
before moving to Aberystwyth to study for a degree in Welsh. I am deeply
interested in the history of Wales and the story of Welsh literature. I was awarded
an MPhil in 2016 for my thesis on the influence of Jonathan Edwards on the prose
of the Welsh evangelical William Williams, Pantycelyn and have published a
peer-reviewed article for The Proceedings of the Wesley Historical Society
on my research.
In addition to my academic studies, I also receive tuition
for music theory and aim to sit my Victoria College of Music diploma in music
theory along with grade 8 theory with the Associated Board of the Royal Schools
of Music in the coming year. I also receive tuition for piano and harpsichord
and particularly enjoy improvisation and composition. I enjoy listening to
baroque and classical music and my favourite piece is Mozart’s unfinished
Requiem.
I have taught introduction to history modules at Aberystwyth University and taken seminars on early modern American history. I enjoy teaching and I am a highly accomplished public speaker and spent several years as a lay preacher in Reformed evangelical churches in South Wales. I studied for a PhD in history at Aberystwyth University under the supervision of Dr David Ceri Jones, but ultimately decided that it was not the right course for me despite learning many transferable research skills.
I have recently made the decision, in the light of my own struggles with mental health, to train as a Registered Mental Health Nurse (RMN). I began an access diploma in nursing this September with Coleg Gwent in Ebbw Vale. I intend to bring my experiences in academia to the nursing profession and pursue research interests in this area such as mindfulness and psychological therapies.
In 2022, I was diagnosed with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) after several years in secondary mental health care and some considerable time spent in hospital. I have a keen interest in promoting psychological well-being, ending the stigma surrounding mental health, and promoting various therapeutic approaches to OC mental health issues such as chronic depression, treatment-resistant anxiety, obsessive-compulsive personality disorder, anorexia nervosa, avoidant personality disorder, and autistic spectrum disorder (ASD). I sometimes write about autism, mindfulness, and dialectical behaviour therapies on my blog for the benefit of those who have limited access to therapies or who are currently on a waiting list. I am a member of the National Autistic Society (NAS) and benefit from reading their quarterly magazine Your Autism.