Appointment to Welsh Government’s Working Group on Welsh in the Workplace

Dr Lowri Hughes from Bangor University’s Canolfan Bedwyr has been invited by the Minister for Public Services, Leighton Andrews, to join the Working Group on the Welsh language in Local Government Administration and Economic Development. The group is chaired by Rhodri Glyn Thomas AM. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

During the process of merging Local Authorities, the aim of the Working group is to offer Welsh Ministers practical recommendations in relation to best practice in terms of the use of Welsh in Local Government Administration, and the support for the language by Local Government in relation to its economic development responsibilities. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

As Director of the Welsh Language Scheme at Bangor University, Lowri has led on a number of projects to develop the use of Welsh in the workplace. One of her current priorities is to ensure that research informs practice. To this end, she worked with Behaviour Change scientists at the School of Psychology to win PhD funding for a project that looks specifically at developing the use of Welsh at Work. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Professor Jerry Hunter, Pro Vice-Chancellor Welsh Medium and Civic Engagement said: ‘This is a particularly exciting time for Bangor University in terms of developing the Welsh in the Workplace agenda. On St David’s Day, we shall be launching our Strategic Plant: Developing the Use of Welsh in the Workplace. This is a plan that embodies the University’s vision in terms of giving staff every opportunity to use their Welsh language skills. Lowri’s appointment to the Working group on the Welsh Language is recognition of her expertise, and that of Canolfan Bedwyr, in this important field.’ ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The Working Group on the Welsh Language are visiting Bangor University on 29 February when they shall have the opportunity to hear about the research and practice that is being carried out at Canolfan Bedwyr, and throughout the University, in relation to promoting and facilitating the use of Welsh amongst staff. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​