Overview
I am a Senior Lecturer in Modern Literature, specialising in modern and contemporary English Literature, especially in relation to two areas: the English-language literature of Wales; and Ecocriticism, specifically the cultural representation of climate change and environmental crisis. I joined Bangor University in January 2012, having previously held positions at Swansea and Birmingham Universities. I was an Early Career Research Fellow at the Institute of Advanced Study at Warwick University in 2010, where I finished my PhD in the same year.
Additional Contact Information
Name: Dr Andrew Webb
Position: Senior Lecturer in Modern English Literature
Email: a.webb@bangor.ac.uk
Phone: 01248 388624
Location: Room 308, New Arts
Teaching and Supervision
I teach a broad range of modern English literature from the nineteenth century to the contemporary period. At undergraduate level, I convene 'Exploring Modern and Contemporary Writing', an Honours-level module which offers a survey of twentieth and twenty-first century literature. I also convene 'Alternative Worlds,: Sci-Fi, Speculative and Young Adult Fiction', 'Writing Wales, Writing Ireland' and 'Climate Change in Contemporary Culture'. As Masters-level, I convene the team-taught core research skills module and the module on 'This World: Going Global'.
In the past, I have offered undergraduate modules in world-literature, and Modern Four-Nations Literature, which takes a comparative approach to texts from the range of nations and regions within these islands. I contribute lectures to a range of other modules, including Exploring Romantic and Victorian Literature, Children's Fictions, and I supervise final-year undergraduate dissertations in a range of areas. In my first year at Bangor, I was awarded New Teacher of the Year at Bangor’s Student-Led Teaching Awards, and have since been nominated for Teacher of the Year.
I supervise students at PhD level in a range of areas mainly focused on Ecocriticism and Welsh writing in English, and am always interested in fielding enquiries from students interested in pursuing research in these areas, or related areas of modern literature in English.
Research Interests
My research interests lie in two areas: Ecocriticism and the English-language literature of Wales.
I am interested in the way that literature, film and other forms of cultural expression represent and intervene in contemporary debates about the relation between humans and the environment. This especially includes the ways in which public perception of aspects of climate change -decarbonisation, food production, landscape and global justice - are registered and influenced by literature, film and language.
In recent years, I have presented my research all over Wales, the UK, and further afield, including in the US and in Japan. I am Editor of the International Journal of Welsh Writing in English, Series Co-Editor for the Writers of Wales series, a Patron of the Association for Welsh Writing in English, and was proud to be one of the judges on the Wales Book of the Year Award (English-language categories).
Postgraduate Project Opportunities
Publications
2025
- PublishedDuncan Bush's Welsh Petrofiction: Energy Transition and Neoliberalism in 'Glass Shot'
Webb, A., 28 Mar 2025, In: International Journal of Welsh Writing in English.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2024
- PublishedAn interdisciplinary research agenda for climate change and cultural heritage
Forino, G., Yorke, L., Del Pinto, M., Griffiths, H., Barker, L., Bates, M., Brummage, S., Davies, S., Patterson, C., Roberts, H., Robinson, G. & Webb, A., 18 Sept 2024, Royal Geographical Society with the Institute of British Geographers .
Research output: Other contribution › peer-review - Accepted/In pressDams and Displacement in Elem Klimov’s Farewell (1983) and Emlyn Williams’ The Last Days of Dolwyn (1949)
Webb, A., 18 Jul 2024, (Accepted/In press) In: Journal of European Studies / Studii Europene .
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - UnpublishedFrom Modern to Extreme: Dams and Reservoirs in Emlyn Williams’ The Last Days of Dolwyn (1949) and Cynan Jones’ Stillicide (2018)
Webb, A., 23 May 2024, (Unpublished).
Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper › peer-review - UnpublishedOil in Welsh Culture
Webb, A., 17 Jan 2024.
Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper
2023
- PublishedBio- and Linguistic Diversity in Zoe Skoulding’s A Marginal Sea
Webb, A., 10 May 2023.
Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper › peer-review - Unpublished‘Places in Wales I don’t go’: the representation of reservoirs in Welsh Culture
Webb, A., 8 Jun 2023, (Unpublished).
Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper › peer-review
2022
- UnpublishedPoetry Against Climate Change! Eco-activist strategies in the poetry of Kathy Jetnil-Kijiner and Elizabeth-Jane Burnett
Webb, A., 9 Nov 2022, (Unpublished).
Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper - Unpublished‘”The deep dark zero”: Dylan Thomas and the contaminated landscapes of the future’
Webb, A., 7 Sept 2022, (Unpublished).
Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper › peer-review - Unpublished‘Threats to Aqua Biodiversity in Rachel Carson’s ‘Sea Trilogy’ and Silent Spring’
Webb, A., 8 Jul 2022, (Unpublished) Blue Extinction Conference, Sheffield Uni, July 2022.
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review
2020
- Published'"Tawe pressed in upon him": Dylan Thomas, Modernity and the Rural-Urban Divide
Webb, A., Feb 2020, New Theoretical Perspectives on Dylan Thomas. “A writer of words, and nothing else”?. Smith, K. & Barfoot, R. (eds.). Cardiff: University of Wales Press, (Writing Wales in English).
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review
2019
- PublishedR.S. Thomas, Emyr Humphreys and the Possibility of Bilingual Culture
Webb, A., 28 Feb 2019, Cambridge History of Welsh Literature. Evans, G. & Fulton, H. (eds.). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, p. 529-556 27 p.
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review - Published"What changes break before us": Semi-Peripheral Modernity in Lynette Roberts's Poetry and Prose
Webb, A., Apr 2019, Locating Lynette Roberts: `Always Observant and Slightly Obscure'. McAvoy, S. (ed.). Cardiff: University of Wales Press, (Writing Wales in English).
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review - Published‘What changes break before us’: Semi-Peripheral Modernity in Lynette Roberts' Poetry and Prose
Webb, A., 15 Apr 2019, Locating Lynette Roberts: Always Observant and Slightly Obscure. McAvoy, S. (ed.). Cardiff: University of Wales Press, p. 83-99 17 p. (Writing Wales in English).
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review
2018
- PublishedWales in the Poetry of Edward Thomas
Webb, A., Nov 2018, Edward Thomas and Wales. Towns, J. (ed.). Cardigan: Parthian Books, p. 193-216 23 p.
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review
2017
- PublishedCelebrated 'English' poet Edward Thomas was one of Wales' finest writers
Webb, A. (Other), 7 Apr 2017
Research output: Non-textual form › Web publication/site - PublishedEdward Thomas and Welsh Culture
Webb, A., 2017, Proceedings of the Harvard Celtic Colloquium. 2017 ed. Harvard: Harvard University Press, Vol. 37.
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter
2016
- PublishedNot friends / But fellows in a union that Ends: Associations of Welshness and Non-heteronormativity in Edward Thomas
Webb, A. S., 15 Jun 2016, Queer Wales: The History, Culture and Politics of Queer Life in Wales. Osborne, H. (ed.). University of Wales Press, p. 115-126
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter
2013
- PublishedEdward Thomas and World Literary Studies: Wales, Anglocentrism and English Literature
Webb, A. S., 1 Jan 2013, University of Wales Press.
Research output: Book/Report › Book - PublishedWaving Genitals and Manuscripts: Ginsberg's 'Howl' and Butler's 'Excitable Speech'
Webb, A. S., Nally, C. (Editor) & Smith, A. (Editor), 30 Apr 2013, Naked Exhibitionism: Gendered Performance and Public Exposure. I.B.Tauris, p. 86-108
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter
2012
- PublishedAnglocentrism within British literary studies: the reception of Edward Thomas
Webb, A. S., 24 Dec 2012, In: Textual Practice. p. 1103-1123
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2009
- PublishedAnglo-American anti-modernism: a transnational reading
Webb, A. S., 1 Jul 2009, In: European Journal of American Culture. 28, 2, p. 167-183
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Activities
2024
- Writers of Wales Monograph series, University of Wales Press (Publisher)
I am co series editor for Writers of Wales monograph series, publishing on average one monograph per year (from 2014 to present).
1 Sep 2024
Activity: Editorial activity (Editor) - Oil in Welsh Culture
A public talk on oil in Welsh culture as part of the Shankland Series of Lectures, held at Bangor Uni on 17.1.24
https://www.bangor.ac.uk/stephen-colclough-centre/shankland-lectures-2023
17 Jan 2024
Activity: Types of Public engagement and outreach - Public lecture/debate/seminar (Speaker)
2023
- Association of Literature and the Environment
Welsh Fictions: Extraction, Energy, and Environmental Justice
29 Aug 2023 – 1 Sep 2023
Activity: Invited talk (Speaker) - Welsh Energy Humanities Network (External organisation)
inaugural member of the Welsh Energy Humanities Network (April 2023 - date)
25 Apr 2023
Activity: Membership of network (Member)
2022
- International Journal of Welsh Writing in English (Journal)
Sole Editor
1 Oct 2022 – 1 Oct 2025
Activity: Editorial activity (Editor) - Daily Time and Deep Time: form, language and writing the earth
Invited Panel Chair
8 Sep 2022 – 11 Sep 2022
Activity: Invited talk (Invited speaker) - Writing Welsh Environments
Co-organiser of Writing Welsh Environments Conference, May 2023
12 May 2022 – 14 May 2022
Activity: Participation in Academic conference (Organiser)
2017
- Edward Thomas Plenary
Plenary Talk on Edward Thomas Study Day, Oxford University Dept for Continuing Education, October 2017
Oct 2017
Activity: Invited talk (Speaker) - Edward Thomas Centenary Conference
Plenary Lecture
20 Apr 2017
Activity: Participation in Academic conference (Speaker) - Oil in Welsh Culture
Shankland Lecture Series
31 Jan 2017
Activity: Invited talk (Speaker) - Edward Thomas in Welsh Culture
2017
Activity: Oral presentation (Speaker)
2016
- University of Wales Press, Cardiff (Publisher)
Co-Editor of the Writers of Wales series
2016 – 2019
Activity: Publication peer-review (Editor)
2015
- University of Wales Press, Cardiff (Publisher)
From time to time, I have peer review proposed monographs for the University of Wales Press.
2015 →
Activity: Publication peer-review (Peer reviewer)
2014
- Review of English Studies (Journal)
2014 →
Activity: Publication peer-review (Peer reviewer)
Projects
-
‘The ground beneath our feet’: Sites of Deep Time in Wales
01/09/2022 – 16/08/2023 (Finished)
-
Santander Mobility grant (Santander Award 2)
01/10/2012 – 30/09/2017 (Finished)
-
Shakespeare, Ralegh, Essex, Middleton and the Theatre of War, 1588-1618
03/10/2011 – 01/10/2012 (Finished)
-
The Tenth International Milton Symposium
24/05/2011 – 31/08/2012 (Finished)
-
01/10/2010 – 15/04/2011 (Finished)
-
01/06/2010 – 13/08/2011 (Finished)
-
01/01/2010 – 31/10/2017 (Finished)
Links:
-
01/10/2009 – 10/07/2017 (Finished)
Links:
-
Distribution and consumption of OUP books, 1780-1896
01/07/2009 – 31/05/2010 (Finished)
-
01/04/2008 – 27/12/2009 (Finished)
-
4Th Annual 'Medievalism Transformed'Conf
29/02/2008 – 31/07/2009 (Finished)
Description
Medievalism Transformed is an annual event hosted by Bangor University, School of English, that aims to explore the medieval world and its sustained impact on subsequent culture and thought. It brings together postgraduates and early career researchers from across the United Kingdom and worldwide.
This conference is unique not only because it welcomes research from a multitude of medieval studies’ disciplines, but also because of its interest in the sustained fascination with and impact of the Middle Ages in later centuries.
Links:
-
The Value Of Literary Analysis To City
24/01/2008 – 10/07/2009 (Finished)
-
The Invisible City: Urban Space
01/07/2007 – 14/06/2013 (Finished)
-
Remotely Jewish:Scotland'S Small Jewish
01/07/2006 – 30/06/2008 (Finished)
-
Training Scheme In Medieval Palaeography
01/10/2005 – 31/07/2009 (Finished)
Links:
-
Ktp With Uwb And Safety Media Ltd
05/07/2004 – 23/07/2008 (Finished)
-
01/04/2002 – 31/08/2013 (Finished)
Other Information
I have held various administrative positions in the School and College, including a five-year stint as Head of School from 2016-21, a three-year period as College Director of Teaching and Learning, and from - 2013-16 – time as a member of the steering committee for the University's Centre for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching (CELT).