Skip to main content
Richard Wyn Jones

Professor Richard Wyn Jones

cymraeg
Welsh speaking
Comment
Media commentator
Users
Available for postgraduate supervision

Teams and roles for Richard Wyn Jones

Overview

Richard Wyn Jones is Director of Cardiff University's Wales Governance. 

He has published 8 books and 7 edited books/collections, as well as numerous academic articles and chapters. His current work focuses on on contemporary Welsh politics, devolved politics in the UK and nationalism. He is also considered to be one of the founders of Critical Security Studies.

Richard is a regular and widely respected broadcaster, commentating on Welsh politics in both Welsh and English for the BBC in Wales and across the UK. He has presented two TV series and is a regular columnist for the Welsh language current affairs magazine Barn. In addition, he has contributed comment columns to a number of newspapers including the Western Mail, Irish Times, The Guardian and Sunday Times, and has been extensively quoted in the international press.

Richard is a Fellow of the Learned Society of Wales and the Academy of the Social Sciences.

Publication

2026

2025

2024

2023

2022

2021

2019

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

2003

2002

2001

2000

1999

1997

1996

1995

Articles

Book sections

Books

Monographs

Other

Websites

Research

My current research interests are contemporary Welsh politics, territorial governance in the UK, and nationalism.

My latest books are Englishness: The political force transforming Britain (co-written with Ailsa Henderson) first published in 2021, The Welsh Criminal Justice System: on the jagged edge (co-written with Rob Jones) published in 2022, and Putting Wales first: The political thought of Plaid Cymru, Volume 1, published in 2024.

RESEARCH AWARDS

  • Principal Investigator, ‘Welsh Election Survey 2021,’ ESRC (ES/V009559/1). Sum awarded £736,401
  • Principal Investigator, ‘Welsh Election Survey 2019,’ ESRC (ES/T01556X/1). Sum awarded £63,573
  • Co-investigator ‘Wales Fiscal Analysis’ project, 2018-2021: jointly funded by Welsh Local Government Association, SOLACE and the Welsh Government: £150,000.
  • Principle investigator for ‘Justice and Juridiction’ 2018-2020: ESRC & Welsh Government (ES/S008454/1) £296,783
  • Co-investigator, ‘2016 Welsh Election Study’, ESRC: £226,615
  • Awarded ESRC Constitutional Change Knowledge Exchange Fellowship, 2015-16: £51,500
  • Principal investigator for ‘Wales in a Changing Union’ (a WGC/IWA/Cymru Yfory research and engagement project), Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust: £80,000, 2013-14; £50,000, 2012.
  • Principal investigator for ‘Wales in a Changing Union’ (a WGC/IWA/Cymru Yfory research and engagement project), 2012-2014, Nuffield Trust: £150,000
  • Co-investigator ‘Welsh Referendum Study 2011,’ ESRC. Sum Awarded £81,043 (RES062231983)
  • Co-investigator ‘Welsh Election Survey 2011,’ ESRC. Sum Awarded £89,203 (RES062232625)
  • Co-investigator, Research to Support the All-Wales Convention, Welsh Assembly Government, 2008 : £100,000
  • Principal investigator 2007 Welsh Election Survey, ESRC. Sum awarded £43,147. Award No. RES062230513
  • Co-principal investigator to HEFCW for ‘Wales and the World’, September 2003-2006. Sum awarded £999,472.
  • Principal investigator to the ESRC for funding for two Welsh Electoral Surveys in 2001 and 2003. ESRC grant of £274,984.00 awarded in July 2000 (L219 25 2042)

Teaching

Masters teaching (PGT)

I convene the Masters programme on Welsh Politics and Government and also convene and teach on the core module titled 'Contemporary Welsh Politics'

Doctoral students (PGR)

I have extensive experience in supervising doctoral students (see Supervision section) and am very happy to consider further applications.

Biography

Academic employment

 

  • Professor of Welsh Politics (Personal Chair), Cardiff University, since June 2010
  • Director of the Wales Governance Centre, Cardiff University, since February 2009
  • Dean of Public Affairs, Cardiff University, 2013-2023
  • Professor of Welsh Politics (Personal Chair), Department of International Politics, Aberystwyth University, 2007 – January 2009
  • Reader (with special responsibility for teaching through the medium of Welsh), Department of International Politics, University of Wales, Aberystwyth, 2005 – 2007
  • Senior Lecturer (with special responsibility for teaching through the medium of Welsh), Department of International Politics, University of Wales, Aberystwyth, 2000 – 2005
  • Lecturer (with special responsibility for teaching through the medium of Welsh), Department of International Politics, University of Wales, Aberystwyth, 1993 – 2000
  • Welsh Medium Tutor, Department of International Politics, University of Wales, Aberystwyth, 1991 – 1993 

Honorary Positions

  • Elected Fellow of the Academy of Social Science, 2012
  • Elected Fellow of the Learned Society of Wales, 2011
  • Honorary Professorial Fellow, School of Social and Political Science, Edinburgh University: October 2009 – October 2010; Since 2012

Fellowships/Visiting Positions

  • Fellow, Institute of Advanced Studies in the Humanities, University of Edinburgh, October-December 2016.
  • ESRC Constitutional Change Knowledge Exchange Fellow, 2015-16
  • Guest Researcher at the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (Norsk Utenrikspolitik Institutt), Oslo, February 2001 – September 2001; September 2006 – September 2008.
  • Guest Researcher at the Political Science Department (Institutt for Statsvitenskap), University of Oslo, February 2003 – September 2003.

Supervisions

I have extensive experience of PhD supervision am happy to consider applications from prospective students across the range of my research interests, including:

  • Welsh politics pre and post-devolution, including in comparative perspective
  • Political thought in Wales, including in comparative perspective
  • Territorial politics across the UK
  • Nationalism

Do feel free to get in touch.

Current supervision

News articles

National Eisteddfod takes place in Pembrokeshire

Academics and students come together for Eisteddfod y Garreg Las

31 July 2026

National Eisteddfod takes place in Pembrokeshire

Academics have been busy helping us make sense of the issues that matter during the Senedd election period

What next for Wales?

08 May 2026

Academics have been busy helping us make sense of the issues that matter during the Senedd election period

Academics sharing the latest research insights with festival audiences

Conflict, politics and identity among the topics being explored at the National Eisteddfod

29 July 2025

Academics sharing the latest research insights with festival audiences

Subjects include politics, medicine, history and journalism

Experts share their insights on a wide range of topics for the National Eisteddfod

31 July 2024

Subjects include politics, medicine, history and journalism

Talks and practical activities on a wide range of topics

Research on Wales’ most pressing challenges to be showcased at National Eisteddfod

02 August 2023

Talks and practical activities on a wide range of topics

Leading academics deliver presentation in Catalonia

Video: Brexit and the Union, Tensions and Challenges

05 May 2023

Leading academics deliver presentation in Catalonia

The central premise of a new book from academics at Cardiff University’s Wales Governance Centre formed the backdrop to a Westminster Hall debate by MPs last week

Justice book highlighted in Westminster debate

06 December 2022

The central premise of a new book from academics at Cardiff University’s Wales Governance Centre formed the backdrop to a Westminster Hall debate by MPs last week

‘Complex set of constitutional arrangements’ hampering policy-making and effective scrutiny

Devolution a ‘necessary step’ towards a better Welsh criminal justice system, academics argue

19 October 2022

‘Complex set of constitutional arrangements’ hampering policy-making and effective scrutiny

Events will examine topics including children’s rights, politics, science and history

Impact of research and teaching showcased at National Eisteddfod

28 July 2022

Events will examine topics including children’s rights, politics, science and history

Introduction to new Welsh Language Academy part of festival coverage

University’s Welsh-language ambitions shared at Eisteddfod AmGen 2021

03 August 2021

Introduction to new Welsh Language Academy part of festival coverage

Future of England Survey has followed public opinion for a decade.

‘Devolution anxiety’ among English voters driving change in British politics, academics conclude

10 March 2021

Future of England Survey has followed public opinion for a decade.

Academics call for responsible debate as findings show the breakup of the UK is a widely expected consequence of Brexit

Future of England Survey reveals public attitudes towards Brexit and the union

24 October 2019

Academics call for responsible debate as findings show the breakup of the UK is a widely expected consequence of Brexit

New research casts doubt on future of a United Kingdom

May’s ‘Precious Union’ has little support in Brexit Britain

09 October 2018

New research casts doubt on future of a United Kingdom

Potential for distinctly Welsh justice system debated at Eisteddfod event.

Justice in Wales?

06 August 2018

Potential for distinctly Welsh justice system debated at Eisteddfod event.

Academics at heart of debate in Wales

Justice and Jurisdiction project provides important and timely insights

12 July 2018

Academics at heart of debate in Wales

New survey data shows 31% of English voters see Labour as trusted defender of English interests

Labour now the most trusted party to stand up for England

26 September 2017

New survey data shows 31% of English voters see Labour as trusted defender of English interests

Remarkable findings from first in-depth analysis, revealed at National Eisteddfod

Why did Wales vote for Brexit?

02 August 2017

Remarkable findings from first in-depth analysis, revealed at National Eisteddfod

Turbulent times examined by University experts at National Eisteddfod

Making sense of a changing Wales

25 July 2017

Turbulent times examined by University experts at National Eisteddfod

University pays tribute to Wales’s former First Minister

Rhodri Morgan

18 May 2017

University pays tribute to Wales’s former First Minister

Fewer voters trust the Conservatives to stand up for England, academics tell conference

Who speaks for England?

06 October 2016

Fewer voters trust the Conservatives to stand up for England, academics tell conference

Richard Rawlings nominated for honorary role at Wales Governance Centre

Honorary Distinguished Professor

17 August 2016

Richard Rawlings nominated for honorary role at Wales Governance Centre

Wales Governance Centre explores implications of tax devolution for Wales

Can tax devolution deliver for Wales?

05 August 2016

Wales Governance Centre explores implications of tax devolution for Wales

What does the EU Referendum result mean for Wales and the UK?

“Brexit means Brexit”

03 August 2016

What does the EU Referendum result mean for Wales and the UK?

Contact Details

Email [email protected]
Telephone +44 29208 75448
Campuses 8-10 North Road, Room 10/2.03, Cathays, Cardiff, CF10 3DY