Dr Aled Singleton
(he/him)
BSc, MSc, PhD, FHEA
Teams and roles for Aled Singleton
Research Associate, Cardiff Business School
Overview
I am a social and cultural geographer with an interest in long-term emotional and affective attachments to space and place. I specialise in public participation, using online spatial workshops, walking approaches and qualitative biographical methods. My PhD considered the long-term relationships with infrastructure investments made to industry, housing and shopping centres in the 1960s and 1970s. My current research focuses on energy transitions, where I am currently leading a public value engagement project on energy supply futures that links Wales to Pakistan.
I am a member of the 2025 Welsh Crucible cohort, Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and Treasurer of the Participatory Geography Research Group. I am an HEA Fellow and teach across Human Geography, including climate emergency, sustainable development, globalisation, dissertation preparation, weeklong fieldtrips, and qualitative research methods.
Since joining Cardiff University in 2024 I have been exploring the socio-economic dimensions of Tidal Reach in Wales, with partners including engineers and developers. Working directly for Welsh Government I have conducted interviews with key stakeholders to understand how different ownership and linked development/financing models might impact how far tidal range developments have positive impacts on the Welsh economy.
I co-edited the first edition of Agoriad: A Journal of Spatial Theory with a specific focus on Indigenous ontologies. I am experienced writer with a growing body of publications in social and cultural geography, publishing in journals including GeoHumanities, Geo: Geography and Environment, Visual Studies, Cities & Health, Soundings and have book chapters in three Routledge publications: researcher vulnerability, walking methods for lifecourse research, and teaching outdoors.
Publication
2025
- Singleton, A., Halfacree, K. and Closs Stephens, A. 2025. Lower carbon week-long fieldtrips. In: France, D., Batty, L. and Swanton, D. eds. Teaching Fieldwork in Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences. Elgar Guides to Teaching Cheltenham, Glos: Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd, pp. 47-49.
- Singleton, A. 2025. Using walking approaches and site-specific performance to reveal layers of feeling attached to place. Geohumanities 11, pp. 36-53. (10.1080/2373566X.2025.2461306)
2024
- Woodley, E. et al. 2024. The future of geography field course pedagogy in UK Higher Education. Geo: Geography and Environment 11(2), article number: e00158. (10.1002/geo2.158)
- Singleton, A. 2024. Book Review: Ngũgĩ wa Thiongʼo, Decolonising the mind: The politics of language in African literature. Agoriad 1(1), article number: 1.12. (10.18573/agoriad.6)
- Solnick, R. and Singleton, A. 2024. Editorial Introduction. Ontologies Aren't Essential. Agoriad 1(1) (10.18573/agoriad.34)
- Singleton, A. 2024. Developing walking methods for lifecourse research. In: Wanka, A. et al. eds. Linking Ages: A Dialogue between Childhood and Ageing Research. Taylor & Francis, pp. 66-77., (10.4324/9781003429340-7)
- Singleton, A. 2024. Energy and Power: Our perilous obsessions by Gareth Wyn Jones [Book Review]. [Online]. Nation Cymru. Available at: https://nation.cymru/culture/book-review-energy-and-power-our-perilous-obsessions/
- Thomas, M. et al. 2024. Co-creating a climate comic book: reflections on using comics in intergenerational research and engagement. Journal of Global Ageing 1(2), pp. 219-237. (10.1332/29767202Y2024D000000011)
- Singleton, A. 2024. Urban research in film using walking tours and psychogeographic approaches. Visual Studies 39(1-2), pp. 184-195. (10.1080/1472586X.2023.2289966)
2023
- Singleton, A. 2023. The long resolution? Responding to economic and social change in postwar South Wales. Soundings 2023(84-85), pp. 212-224. (10.3898/soun.84-85.13.2023)
- Singleton, A. 2023. Urban walking and the spatial hinge. Literary Geographies 9(2), pp. 248-252.
- Batterham, M. and Singleton, A. 2023. Framing transdisciplinary research as an assemblage. In: Clift, B. et al. eds. Qualitative Researcher Vulnerability: Negotiating, Experiencing and Embracing. London: Routledge, pp. 206-221., (10.4324/9781003349266-15)
- Batterham, M., Deering, K. and Singleton, A. M. 2023. Urban influences on the development, perpetuation and mitigation of psychosis. Mental Health Practice (10.7748/mhp.2023.e1653)
Articles
- Singleton, A. 2025. Using walking approaches and site-specific performance to reveal layers of feeling attached to place. Geohumanities 11, pp. 36-53. (10.1080/2373566X.2025.2461306)
- Woodley, E. et al. 2024. The future of geography field course pedagogy in UK Higher Education. Geo: Geography and Environment 11(2), article number: e00158. (10.1002/geo2.158)
- Singleton, A. 2024. Book Review: Ngũgĩ wa Thiongʼo, Decolonising the mind: The politics of language in African literature. Agoriad 1(1), article number: 1.12. (10.18573/agoriad.6)
- Solnick, R. and Singleton, A. 2024. Editorial Introduction. Ontologies Aren't Essential. Agoriad 1(1) (10.18573/agoriad.34)
- Thomas, M. et al. 2024. Co-creating a climate comic book: reflections on using comics in intergenerational research and engagement. Journal of Global Ageing 1(2), pp. 219-237. (10.1332/29767202Y2024D000000011)
- Singleton, A. 2024. Urban research in film using walking tours and psychogeographic approaches. Visual Studies 39(1-2), pp. 184-195. (10.1080/1472586X.2023.2289966)
- Singleton, A. 2023. The long resolution? Responding to economic and social change in postwar South Wales. Soundings 2023(84-85), pp. 212-224. (10.3898/soun.84-85.13.2023)
- Singleton, A. 2023. Urban walking and the spatial hinge. Literary Geographies 9(2), pp. 248-252.
- Batterham, M., Deering, K. and Singleton, A. M. 2023. Urban influences on the development, perpetuation and mitigation of psychosis. Mental Health Practice (10.7748/mhp.2023.e1653)
Book sections
- Singleton, A., Halfacree, K. and Closs Stephens, A. 2025. Lower carbon week-long fieldtrips. In: France, D., Batty, L. and Swanton, D. eds. Teaching Fieldwork in Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences. Elgar Guides to Teaching Cheltenham, Glos: Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd, pp. 47-49.
- Singleton, A. 2024. Developing walking methods for lifecourse research. In: Wanka, A. et al. eds. Linking Ages: A Dialogue between Childhood and Ageing Research. Taylor & Francis, pp. 66-77., (10.4324/9781003429340-7)
- Batterham, M. and Singleton, A. 2023. Framing transdisciplinary research as an assemblage. In: Clift, B. et al. eds. Qualitative Researcher Vulnerability: Negotiating, Experiencing and Embracing. London: Routledge, pp. 206-221., (10.4324/9781003349266-15)
Websites
- Singleton, A. 2024. Energy and Power: Our perilous obsessions by Gareth Wyn Jones [Book Review]. [Online]. Nation Cymru. Available at: https://nation.cymru/culture/book-review-energy-and-power-our-perilous-obsessions/
Research
2024-ongoing: Tidal Lagoon Challenge. Five-package Welsh Government programme exploring the barriers and opportunities for tidal power in Wales across dimensions of funding, regulation, and ownership.
2018-21: PhD Researcher at Swansea University. “Pursuing the Post-war Dream” offers methods to uncover the ‘rhizome’ (Thrift, 2000) which lies below the surface: offering ways to understand the role of the past in the present day. This inquiry sits between human geogrpahy and gerontology to develop a methodology which explores how the everyday – such as stories about houses, streets and neighbourhoods – allows people from different generations to build empathy in research relationships. ESRC funded.
for Department for Work & Pensions (secondment through UKRI)
Teaching
I am a Fellow of the HEA and specialise in geographical methods and approaches.
Geography Department, Swansea University
2022-24: Geographical Skills; Sustainable Development & Climate Emergency; Globalisation; Geographical Methods and Data Analysis; Dissertation Preparation Skills; Berlin Fieldtrip; Tourism, Heritage and Leisure; Qualitative Research Methods.
2022: Guest lecturer MArch Sustainable Architecture - Centre for Alternative Technology
2021: Webinar facilitator for Society Dataset Digimap, University of Edinburgh
2020-2023: Lecturing and assessment for MA Creative Writing Non-Fiction – Swansea University
Biography
I am an inter-disciplinary researcher and teacher whose work is driven by empowering citizens and policy makers in decisions around public services and infrastructure.
I have 20 years' experience from local government and the third sector building teams, applying for funding, managing complex budgets, and procuring consultants and suppliers of services. I am experienced in working within politicised environments where strategies sometimes change quickly. As an academic this gives me a deeper insight into how initiatives may work on the ground in everyday life, and how local stakeholders could be involved.
After three years post-PhD employment at Swansea University, including an ESRC Postdoctoral Fellow and teaching, I joined the Welsh Economy Research Unit at Cardiff University’s Business School. In September 2025 I will move to Geography and Planning as a Lecturer in Human Geography.
I contribute to the arts. I was a trustee at Chapter Arts Centre Cardiff and continue to write reviews for Nation Cymru. I worked as a freelancer to establish the Full Colour Maindee street art festival in Newport. In 2024 I was a key organiser for the Heritage and Hiraeth weekend conference in Canterbury. I am a Royal Geographical Society fellow and treasurer of the Participatory Geography Research Group.
In 2025 I gained a place on the Welsh Crucible professional development programme. From this experience I have a strong network across different research disciplines. The Crucible has opened me to self-reflection and challenge; building on my experience of community coaching.
Honours and awards
- 2025: Welsh Crucible
- 2025: Cardiff Business School Public Value Engagement Fellowship: £1,872
- 2024: Co-I Co-creating the Climate Comic Intergenerational Activity Pack - ESRC Impact Accelerator: £14,238
- 2022: Co-I OPTIC Intergenerational Climate Change: UKRI Healthy Ageing Challenge: £99,637
- 2021: Member of first cohort ESRC Postdoctoral Development Programme
- 2021: ESRC Postdoctoral Research Fellowship: £104,972
- 2019: ESRC Festival of Social Science Award: £980
- 2017: ESRC Inter and Cross-disciplinary Small Grant: £1,460.50.
- 2017: British Society of Gerontology Small Grant: £400
Professional memberships
- Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) Fellow
- Executive Committee Participatory Geography Research Group
- Advance HE Fellow
Academic positions
Cardiff University
Welsh Economy Research Unit, Cardiff University
Research Associate (Sept 2024 - ongoing)
Tidal Lagoon Challenge. Five-package Welsh Government programme exploring the barriers and opportunities for tidal power in Wales across dimensions of funding, regulation, and ownership.
Geography Department, Swansea University
Research Officer (2022-24)
OPTIC Intergenerational climate change conversations and the Climate Comic Grant: £99,637 through UKRI Healthy Ageing Social, Behavioural & Design Research Programme.
Geography Tutor (2022-24)
Teaching Sustainable Development and the Climate Emergency; Globalisation; Human Geography Methods; Berlin Fieldtrip; Qualitative Methods; and Creative Writing Non-Fiction
ESRC Postdoctoral Fellow (2021-22)
Exploring long-term impact of UK socio-economic change from late-1950s through to the early-1970s. Case study in Newport to explore long-term spatial relationships using online interviews, public participation with site-specific performance, and film. Grant: £104,972 (2021-22).
Speaking engagements
2024: Speaker Publications and Communications Mini Crucible: Sealey Associates
2023: Walkshop Leader: Forming deeper connections with the university - CELT Bangor University
2022. Urbanism workshops with M.Arch Sustainable Architecture students at Centre for Alternative Technology
2022: Co-designer Connecting Through Culture as We Age with Watershed and Bristol University
Committees and reviewing
- 2023: Editor for first edition of Agoriad: Journal of Spatial Theory
Contact Details
Research themes
Specialisms
- ethnography
- Qualitative Research
- creative methods
- teaching
- Wales