I decided to study History at University for the simple reason that I enjoy the subject, and I still delight in it: there is always something new to learn, and this curiosity can help to understand the world we live in today. So, over 20 years since I came to Bangor University as an undergraduate student (then MA and PhD) I am still here, and a Lecturer in Modern History and Welsh History since 2013.

I mainly look at history from the close of the Victorian era to the beginning of the 21st century, and have two main interests in my research and teaching. Firstly, exploring national identities, specifically in Wales. Secondly, delving into the history of everyday life, which gives us a view of how ordinary people have lived in the past. Together this means that many of my modules are eclectic in content, with discussions of topics ranging from nationalism, the monarchy, devolution and gender to areas such as the nuclear industry, landscape studies and histories of  food, animals and tattoos.

Among the modules I have on the books at the moment are Wales in the Modern World; Re-igniting the Dragon: Wales after 1939; Britain in the Jazz Age; Nationalism in the UK and Raving in the 1990s. At MA level I coordinate the Welsh history module Global Wales. I am a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and I love teaching in Welsh and English.

I'm currently writing a monograph on north-east Wales between 1950 and 1962, involved in oral history projects through the Institute for the Study of Welsh Estates (ISWE) and collaborating on research into nuclear communities in north Wales. I enjoy chatting about my research with local history societies and schools.  I also contribute to radio and television programmes on subjects such as the monarchy and nationalism.

I am fortunate to be supervising talented PhD researchers, who are looking at areas such as the history of mountaineering and right-wing nationalism. I also co-supervise a number of ISWE doctorates on topics such as squatters & rural settlements and women in agriculture.

In terms of my administrative work at the University, I am a History Admissions Tutor and a History/Heritage co-ordinator in Bangor with the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol.

BA

  • Cymru yn y Byd Modern / Wales in the Modern World 
  • Ail-Danio'r Ddraig/ Re-igniting the Dragon
  • Britain in the Jazz Age
  • Nationalism in the UK
  • Raving in the 1990s?  
  • Making History
  • Crefft yr Hanesydd

MA 

  • Global Wales
  • People, Power and Political Action
  • Documents and Sources Modern
  • Themes and Issues
  • Nationalism in the 20th century
  • Monarchy
  • Protest and the Welsh language
  • Devolution
  • Landscape history and rurality
  • Nuclear communities
  • North-east Wales
  • Animal history
  • The history of everyday life (e.g. tattoos, food, sports).

2025

2024

2023

2022

2021

2016

2015

  • PublishedLabour, the Union and the rebirth of Welsh devolution
    Wiliam, M. E., Williams, C. (Editor) & Edwards, A. (Editor), 1 Aug 2015, The Art of the Possible: Politics and Governance in Modern British History: 1885-1997: Essays in Memory of Duncan Tanner. 2015 ed. Manchester University Press
    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter

2014

2009

  • PublishedThe Freedom of Information Act and Welsh Devolution.
    Tanner, D. M., Wiliam, M. E., Flinn, A. (Editor) & Jones, H. (Editor), 1 Jan 2009, Freedom of Information: Open Access: Empty Archives?. 2009 ed. Routledge, p. 54-74
    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter

2025

  • Castles, Quarries, and Communities

    Building on the interest in Bangor History’s ‘College on the Hill’ event for the University’s 140th Anniversary, this course explores different aspects of the history and heritage of north Wales. Our historians and archaeologists are passionate experts in their field of study, and the course is designed to introduce some of the more contested aspects of local and community history.

    19 Mar 2025 – 9 Apr 2025

    Activity: Types of Public engagement and outreach - Public lecture/debate/seminar (Contributor)

2024

2023

2022

  • Bodorgan Estate Heritage Route

    The Bodorgan Estate (https://www.bodorgan.com/) located in south-west Anglesey has received a Welsh Government grant to construct a new public footpath through part of the estate, linking to the existing Wales Coast Path. The development of the footpath infrastructure will proceed alongside a programme of habitat restoration. The route will embrace several important landscape features, linked to the social, cultural and economic history of Anglesey. The project is committed to sharing this landscape history with future users of the footpath through the installation of appropriate heritage interpretation along the route. The Bodorgan Estate is collaborating with Bangor University’s Institute for the Study of Welsh Estates (http://iswe.bangor.ac.uk/) to deliver these objectives.

    The Project Team (Shaun Evans, Marc Collinson, and Mari Wiliam) advised and supervised the work of two paid postgraduate interns (Matthew Rowland and Catrin Williams). They undertook archival work at Bodorgan and interviewed members of the local community to provide historical information and oral testimony to aid the creation of heritage interpretation along the path and online. Members of the team intend to produce academic-level publications in due course.

    1 Aug 2022 – 31 Dec 2022

    Activity: Types of External academic engagement - Research and Teaching at External Organisation (Advisor)

I enjoy gardening (particularly flowers) and love animals: I have dogs and chickens.  I'm also a big football fan.  Many of these interests crop up in my teaching and research too!