Nicholas Morgan

I received my first grant from the James Pantyfedwen Foundation in 2012 in order to fund a Masters degree in Postcolonial Politics in the Department of International Politics at Aberystwyth University.  With the support of the foundation, I was able to pursue a highly enriching course of study which opened new doors for me.  Having taken a year out after the Masters Degree, I returned to the Department of International Politics to commence studying for a PhD, which was once again funded by the James Pantyfedwen Foundation.  I have recently passed the defense of the thesis and will be graduating in the summer. 

The research focus of the PhD was national identity and the nation.  Specifically, it used new theoretical approaches to develop how national “identity” is understood, and explored national identity as it is experienced by Welsh language learners.  Undertaking the PhD gave me the opportunity to gain teaching experience, to develop valuable research skills, and to contribute to the field in which I am interested; all of which was made possible by the James Pantyfedwen Foundation.  The PhD has since led to opportunities to employ the research skills gained.  In the months since completing the thesis, I have been working on two research projects on secessionism, including the IMAJINE project, funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 programme. 

I am very grateful to the James Pantyfedwen Foundation for their support over the years of study.  I greatly appreciate the opportunities that I have been able to pursue due to their scholarships; opportunities that would not have been possible without their support.