Introduction

I came to Bangor University in 2009 to study for a BA in Welsh and Religious Studies. After graduating in 2012, I completed an MA in Welsh and Creative Writing, before undertaking a PhD funded by the AHRC under the joint supervision of the School of Philosophy and Religion and the School of Welsh at Bangor University. Following the completion of my doctorate, I was appointed Lecturer in Philosophy and Religion.

My academic and creative work is shaped by a strong commitment to education, social justice, ethical reflection, and the role of religion and culture in fostering dialogue, peace, and mutual understanding within and across communities.

Academic Research

My doctoral research examined the religious responses among the Welsh in the United States to the issue of nineteenth century slavery. The thesis was later published as a monograph in 2022 by the University of Wales Press: ‘Mae’r Beibl o’n tu’: ymatebion crefyddol y Cymry yn America i gaethwasiaeth (1838-1868).

As this project suggests, my academic interests are wide-ranging and interdisciplinary. They include biblical studies and reception history; religion, literature, and society; the history of slavery, ethics, and social justice; Judaism and Christianity and their interfaith dialogue; ecology and religion; the problem of evil; Holocaust studies; Welsh Nonconformity and the Welsh in America; nineteenth-century print culture; and the role of religion in sustaining ethnic and national identities within diasporic communities.

A consistent thread running through my research is a concern for how religious ideas shape moral action, political imagination, and responses to injustice, both historically and in contemporary contexts. I continue to explore questions surrounding slavery, religion, and ethics, and I am currently researching selected aspects of modern Zionism, with particular attention to theology, identity, and moral discourse.

As a lecturer, I teach a broad range of modules, including the history of ethics, Judaism and Christianity, philosophy of religion, and religion and contemporary ecological issues. My teaching is closely informed by my research and is guided by a commitment to critical thinking, inclusivity, and the development of ethically engaged citizens.

National Centre of Religious Education for Wales

In October 2022, I was appointed Co-Director of the National Centre for Religious Education in Wales, alongside Prof Lucy Huskinson and Dr Joshua Andrews. The Centre exists to support, research, and promote Religious Studies and Religion, Values and Ethics as vital areas of learning within primary and secondary education in Wales.

A central strand of the Centre’s work is research into pedagogy and practice in Religious Education and Religion, Values and Ethics (RVE) within the Welsh context. This includes investigating how religion, belief, ethics, and philosophy are taught and understood under the Curriculum for Wales, how these subjects engage with questions of diversity, identity, social justice, and peace, and how pedagogical approaches can be developed to support inclusive, critical, and rigorous classroom practice. Through this research, the Centre contributes to scholarly and policy-informed discussions around the future of Religious Studies and ethical education in Wales.

In addition to its research activity, the Centre works closely with teachers, schools, educators, NATRE groups, RE Hubs UK, faith and belief communities, and other stakeholders to provide professional support, guidance, and training. We contribute to national conversations around curriculum development, assessment, teacher education, and educational policy, ensuring that research-based insights inform classroom practice and strategic decision-making.

Central to the Centre’s mission is the conviction that high-quality, inclusive Religious Education and RVE play a crucial role in fostering ethical awareness, critical thinking, social cohesion, peace-building, and mutual respect in a multicultural and multifaith society. By combining academic research, pedagogical development, teacher support, and public engagement, the Centre seeks to strengthen the place of these subjects within Welsh education and to highlight their wider significance for civic life, democratic values, and social responsibility in Wales.

Creative work

Alongside my academic career, I am an active creative writer and theatre practitioner. In 2018, I published the novel Eira Llwyd [Grey Snow] (Gwasg y Bwthyn), which explores Jewish experiences during the Holocaust and was named Welsh Book of the Month by the Welsh Books Council. My novel Y Cylch (Gwasg y Bwthyn, 2023) examines contemporary depictions of witches, engaging with themes of marginalisation, fear, and social control. And my volume of flash fiction and photographs, Cylchu Cymru [Circling Wales] (Y Lolfa 2022) was fortunate to be awarded the Creative Non-fiction Wales Book of the Year Award in 2023.

I was awarded the Playwright Medal at the 2019 National Eisteddfod for Adar Papur [Paper Birds], later produced by Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru, and again in 2021 for Cadi Ffan a Jan, which explored gender stereotypes in contemporary Wales. In 2022, my play Ynys Alys [Alys’s Island] toured Wales with Theatr Frân Wen.

I am an Associate Artist with Theatr Cymru as part of the 'Ar y Dibyn' [On the Edge] project, which uses creative writing to support individuals affected by addiction, mental health challenges, and marginalisation, reflecting my commitment to socially engaged and community-based creative practice.

In 2023, I was selected as the Welsh participant in the European Counterpoint project, collaborating with artists from Poland and Armenia on creative responses to migration and displacement; this work was presented at Gŵyl Arall and in Prague and included translations into Welsh, Polish, Czech and Armenian. That same year, I edited Curiadau [Beats] (Barddas), the first LGBTQ+ anthology in Welsh.

In 2025, my first children’s book, Llanddafad [Sheepville], won the Tir na n-Og Readers’ Choice Award.

Across my creative work, I engage with questions of social justice, peace, empathy, and ethical responsibility, exploring the power of storytelling to foster understanding and resilience.

Position:  Lecturer

Email:      g.evans-jones@bangor.ac.uk

Location: T21, Main Arts

  • Ethics: Religious Perspectives
  • Introduction to Christianity
  • Introduction to Ancient Philosophy
  • Medieval Philosophy
  • Movements of the Mind: Modern Philosophy
  • Antisemitism
  • Nature and Western Religion.
  • Religion, Nationality and Sexuality
  • The Holocaust: Philosophical and Religious Responses
  • Religion in Wales: From Paganism to Jediism
  • Judaism in the Modern World
  • The Problem of Evil
  • The Transatlantic Slave Trade
  • 20th Century Philosophy of Religion
  • Tales of Might and Morality
  • Independent Study
  • Dissertation

Supervise MA/MRes/MPhil

  • I am currently supervising MRes projects in the fields of religious studies and philosophy, masculinity, gender and theology, and peace studies.

Supervise PhD

  • Supervising projects including ones on Heraclitus, LDS and Greek Orthodoxy, Elegaic poetry in Shia Islam and Welsh, Women during the Troubles, and fantasty literature.

  • I am willing to supervise PhD projects in the fields of religious studies, literature and religion, and the history of slavery

  • The Bible and slavery.
  • Slavery and religion.
  • Welsh Nonconformity and the religious print culture of the nineteenth century.
  • Judaism and Christianity, and their interfaith dialogue.
  • Zionism, Judaism, and Christianity.
  • Literature and Religion.
  • Paganism.

I am willing to supervise a PhD

2025

2024

2023

  • PublishedCuriadau: Blodeugerdd LHDTC+
    Evans-Jones, G., 4 Aug 2023, 1af ed. Llandysul: Cyhoeddiadau Barddas. 136 p.
    Research output: Book/Report › Book › peer-review

2022

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2025

2024

2023

  • Cadeirio lansiad y gyfrol Curiadau gan Gareth Evans Jones (gol.)

    Cadeirio lansiad y gyfrol Curiadau gan Gareth Evans Jones (gol.)

    10 Nov 2023

    Activity: Invited talk (Keynote speaker)
  • Darlleniad yn lansiad Y Cylch gan Gareth Evans Jones

    Darlleniad yn lansiad Y Cylch gan Gareth Evans Jones

    31 Oct 2023

    Activity: Invited talk (Keynote speaker)
  • The Methodist Pope: John Elias and Society

    A talk about the influence of the significant and striking preacher, John Elias as part of the winter programme of lectures for Talwrn Archaeology group

    18 Sep 2023

    Activity: Invited talk (Speaker)
  • Identities: Welshness and Queer Arts

    In the Bangor University tent at the National Eisteddfod, the concluding session in the 'Identities: Welshness' series, sponsored by the Coleg Cymraeg cenedlaethol, was held. The theme of the session was Welshness and Queer Arts which saw an engaging discussion with three queer creative practitioners: Osian Gwynn (Pontio's Creative Director), Leo Drayton (poet, writer, dramatist and performer), and Megan Lloyd (convenor of Trac Cymru, poet and performer).

    10 Aug 2023

    Activity: Types of Public engagement and outreach - Festival/Exhibition (Contributor)
  • Chairing a launch session of 'Curiadau: Blodeugerdd LHDTC' at the National Eisteddfod

    Wednesday 9 August, the launch took place at Paned o Ge's stall in the National Eisteddfod. I chaired the very interesting session by being able to interview many of the contributors: Melda Lois Griffiths, Gruffydd Sion Ywain (designer of the volume), Bethany Celyn (Barddas' Creative Editor), Elgan Rhys, Leo Drayton and Bethan Marlow).

    9 Aug 2023

    Activity: Types of Public engagement and outreach - Festival/Exhibition (Contributor)
  • 'Gwrachod a'r Gair' yn Stondin Prifysgol Bangor yn yr Eisteddfod Genedlaethol

    Sgwrs gyda Sian Melangell Dafydd am wrachod hanesyddol a chyfoes, a'r hyn mae 'gwrach', 'gwrachyddiaeth' a 'gwrachaidd' yn ei olygu.

    7 Aug 2023

    Activity: Types of Public engagement and outreach - Festival/Exhibition (Contributor)
  • LGBTQ+ representation in books published in Wales since the millennium - a discussion held at the Literary Pavilion in the Llyn and Eifionnydd National Eisteddfod, 2023

    I was given the opportunity to chair a discussion in the Literary Pavilion during the Llyn and Eifionydd National Eisteddfod regarding LGBTQ+ representation in books published in Wales since 2000. The panel members were Lois Gwenllian, Nia Wyn Jones, Llyr Titus and Dylan Huw.

    7 Aug 2023

    Activity: Types of Public engagement and outreach - Festival/Exhibition (Contributor)
  • 'Is everyone on the same page?' - The Literary Pavilion, National Eisteddfod 2023

    Panel member under the chair of Iolo Cheung regarding whether there is sufficient representation in Welsh literature. Other members of the panel were Malachy Edwards, Sioned Erin Hughes, Simon Chandler, Elen Wyn and Simon Brooks.

    6 Aug 2023

    Activity: Types of Public engagement and outreach - Public lecture/debate/seminar (Contributor)
  • Launch of the National Centre for Religious Education in Wales at the Eisteddfod

    The Welsh-medium launch of the National Centre for Religious Education in Wales was held at the Bangor University stall at the Llyn and Eifionydd National Eisteddfod 2023. Joshua Andrews and I presented as co-directors of the Centre. Interesting contributions were given by Emilia Johnson, Daniel Latham, Modlen Lynch, and Natasha Roberts, in addition to a fascinating discussion with Kristoffer Hughes, the Chief of the Anglesey Druid Order. We were also able to announce that the first Honorary Fellow of the Centre is the National Poet for Wales, Hanan Issa.

    6 Aug 2023

    Activity: Types of Public engagement and outreach - Public lecture/debate/seminar (Contributor)
  • Cylchu Cymru in Sesiwn Fawr Dolgellau

    I delivered a talk on my volume, 'Cylchu Cymru', as part of Dolgellau's arts, culture and music festval.

    22 Jul 2023

    Activity: Types of Public engagement and outreach - Festival/Exhibition (Contributor)
  • Writing, Philosophy and Drag: a discussion with a drag queen

    This was an interesting session discussing drag in Welsh. I had the opportunity of interviewing the drag queen, Biwti, as well as discuss my play, 'Cadi Ffan a Jan', and consider which philosophical aspects are apparent with regards to drag, including freedom of expression, the challenging of narrow preconceptions, ideas on specific gender roles. The talk took place at the Bangor University stall.

    16 Jul 2023

    Activity: Types of Public engagement and outreach - Festival/Exhibition (Contributor)

2021

2020

2019

  • John Gwilym Jones ac Etifeddiaeth

    Sgwrs am John Gwilym Jones ac etifeddiaeth ar raglen Dei Tomos, BBC Radio Cymru.

    17 Nov 2019

    Activity: Oral presentation (Speaker)
  • Dathlu llwyddiant Gareth Evans-Jones

    Sgwrs drwy wahoddiad yn ystod noson a drefnwyd gan bwyllgor Eisteddfod Marianglas i ddathlu llwyddiant Dr Gareth Evans-Jones, Prif Ddramodydd Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Dyffryn Conwy 2019

    3 Oct 2019

    Activity: Oral presentation (Keynote speaker)
  • XVIth International Congress of Celtic Studies

    Present a paper: 'To free the great captivity': Biblical Concepts and the Abolition of the Welsh Americans.

    22 Jul 2019

    Activity: Participation in Academic conference (Speaker)
  • O'r Stori Fer i'r Nofel Feicro

    Sgwrs â Merched y Wawr Porthaethwy am lenydda mewn gwahanol gyfryngau.

    20 Feb 2019

    Activity: Invited talk (Speaker)
  • Y Cymry America a'r Caethion

    Sgwrs am y Cymry yn yr Unol Daleithiau ynghylch caethwasiaeth y 19eg ganrif.

    28 Jan 2019

    Activity: Invited talk (Speaker)

2018

2017

2016

2015

  • 2024:  £26,671. Culham St Gabriel's Award.
  • 2024:  £30, 451.  Bangor Impact Award.
  • 2023: £2500, Small Grant by the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol.
  • 2022:  £85,000, Corporate Grant Award. All Saints Educational Trust.
  • 2022: £2500 Collaborative Grant by the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol to establish a monthly series of webinars entitled 'Identities: Welshness'.
  • 2019: Welsh Medium Education Award (Student Lead Teaching Awards)

Administrative Roles

  • Personal Tutor
  • University's Board of EDI
  • Director of Welsh-language Matters for Philosophy, Ethics and Religion
  • Co-Director of the National Centre of Religious Education for Wales
  • Co-Director of the Centre for Pentecostal and Charismatic Studies

 

Recognitions/Awards

  • Awarded the Creative Nonfiction Literature Wales Book of the Year award in 2023 for my volume, Cylchu Cymru [Circling Wales].
  • Awarded the 2022 Sir Ellis Griffith Memorial Prize (University of Wales), a prestigious Y Werin Legacy Fund award recognising the most distinguished Welsh‑language scholarship on Welsh authors, literature, artists, or craftsmen, for 'Mae’r Beibl o’n tu': Ymatebion crefyddol y Cymry yn America i gaethwasiaeth (1838–1868) (University of Wales Press, 2022).
  • Awarded a Grant by the British Society of Authors to work on a volume of flash fiction (2021).
  • Awarded the Welsh Medium Education Award in the Student Led Teaching Awards 2019.
  • Awarded a New Author Scholarship by Literature Wales to work on a novel (2017).
  • Awarded an AHRC Scholarship in Celtic Languages to complete my PhD research (2014).
  • Awarded a James Pantyfedwen Foundation Scholarship (2013).
  • Awarded an Access to Masters (ATM) Scholarship (2012).
  • Awarded the Dr John Robert Jones Prize by Bangor University for being one of the ‘students of the year’ (2012).
  • Awarded the Sir John Morris-Jones Prize by the School of Welsh, Bangor University for the results of my BA degree examinations (2012).
  • Awarded the Robert Richards Prize by Bangor University for my dissertation (2012).
  • Awarded the Thomas L. Jones Prize by the School of Welsh, Bangor University for the results of my second year degree examinations (2011).
  • Awarded the R. T. Robinson Prize by the School of Theology and Religious Studies, Bangor University, for the ‘most meritorious work in the first year of a Religious Studies degree’ (2010).

Membership

  • Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.
  • Member of the Council of Christians and Jews (CCJ).

Editorial

  • Co-editor of Astudiaethau Athronyddol [Philosophical Studies] with Professor Huw L. Williams (Cardiff University).