Dr Hefin Gwilym

Lecturer in Criminology and Criminal Justice; Lecturer in Social Policy

h.gwilym@bangor.ac.uk

+44 1248 382509

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Dr Hefin Gwilym

View Dr Hefin Gwilym’s profile on the Bangor Research Portal

I am a Lecturer in Social Policy at Bangor University and a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Since 2025, I have also contributed teaching for the Criminology programmes. I have published extensively on poverty and welfare, including a co-edited book with Charlotte Williams on social policy in Wales - 'Social Policy for Welfare Practice in Wales' (2021), with a foreword by the Rt Hon Mark Drakeford. My recent journal articles have focused on universal basic income and welfare reform. I completed my doctorate at Keele University and my BA and MA degrees at Swansea University. I am a supervisor for several PhD and MA students. My undergraduate and postgraduate teaching concentrates on poverty, social security, inequality, and housing. I am a regular contributor to BBC Radio Cymru on social policy, particularly the cost-of-living crisis.

My contact email is h.gwilym@bangor.ac.uk

Room G5, Bay3, Ground Floor, 

School of History, Law and Social Sciences,

Main Building,

Bangor University,

College Road,

Bangor,

Gwynedd LL57 2DG

email: h.gwilym@bangor.ac.uk

I teach the following modules:

HPS1001 Social Policy and the State

SXP2010 Poverty and Inequality

SXP3010 Housing Policy

SXP4040 Key Issues in Social Policy

Combined Work Placement Module

  

I am willing to supervise a PhD

2025

2024

2023

2022

2021

  • PublishedBenefits system in Wales Evidence Welsh Select Committee
    Closs-Davies, S., Gwilym, H. & Beck, D., 16 Sept 2021
    Research output: Other contribution
  • PublishedEditors’ Introduction
    Gwilym, H. & Williams, C., 22 Mar 2021, Social Policy for Welfare Practice in Wales. Gwilym, H. & Williams, C. (eds.). 3rd ed. The British Association of Social Workers.
    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review
  • PublishedSocial Policy for Welfare Practice in Wales
    Gwilym, H. (Editor) & Williams OBE, C. (Editor), 22 Mar 2021, 3rd ed. Birmingham: The British Association of Social Workers. .
    Research output: Book/Report › Book › peer-review
  • PublishedWales 20 Years On: The Record and New Goals
    Gwilym, H., 22 Mar 2021, Social Policy for Welfare Practice in Wales. Gwilym, H. & Williams, C. (eds.). 3rd ed. The British Association of Social Workers.
    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review

2020

  • PublishedThe moral maze of foodbank use
    Beck, D. & Gwilym, H., Oct 2020, In: Journal of Poverty and Social Justice. 28, 3, p. 383-399 17 p.
    Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2012

2011

2007

2004

2026

  • The Irish Basic Income for Artists (BIA) and EDM Artists: Is BIA a Credible Way Forward in Wales?

    A presentation on our research findings with musicians in Ireland in receipt of the Basic Income for the Arts (BIA), for Welsh Government civil servants.

    29 Apr 2026

    Activity: Oral presentation (Speaker)
  • What Can Devolved Governments Do to Address the Cost-of-Living Crisis?

    As part of the Campaign for Social Science’s 2026 series on devolution, this webinar, in partnership with the Centre for Public Policy, focused on the cost-of-living crisis. Surveys have consistently identified the cost of living as the most important issue among voters ahead of the elections for the Scottish Parliament and the Senedd. But what can the devolved governments do, within their spheres of constitutional powers, to reduce the costs of living? Do they have sufficient powers? Are the party manifestos offering solutions? Given that cost-of-living is a policy challenge that spans devolved and reserved competence, can the devolved governments and the UK government collaborate more effectively? The panel included Professor Kezia Dugdale FAcSS, Associate Director, Centre for Public Policy, University of Glasgow (chair), Professor Nicola McEwen FAcSS, Director, Centre for Public Policy, University of Glasgow, and Dr Hefin Gwilym, Lecturer in Social Policy, Bangor University.

    21 Apr 2026

    Links:

    Activity: Oral presentation (Speaker)
  • The Basic Income for the Arts in Ireland

    Sharing key findings of research with Irish musicians who have received the BIA since 2022, for a research Seminar in the Department of Music, Bangor University.

    25 Feb 2026

    Activity: Oral presentation (Speaker)

2023

  • Celebrating Lifelong Well-being in Wales

    On 26 October 2023, the Academy, in partnership with Cardiff University, co-hosted a panel discussion examining how public policy might do more to uplift the collective well-being of Wales. As part of ESRC’s 2023 Festival of Social Science, the panel, chaired by Professor Chris Taylor (Cardiff University), explored issues around loneliness and isolation, including young people’s mental wellbeing, the impact of the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act in Wales, how emerging policies like Universal Basic Income (UBI) might play a role in shifting the dial on wellbeing, and what Wales’ business community are doing to contribute to communities.

    26 Oct 2023

    Links:

    Activity: Oral presentation (Speaker)

2022

2019

2017

2016

Postgraduate Taught Examinations Officer