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����ר�� has been named lead of a major s, and partner on a second. These prestigious awards, announced by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), are designed to deliver leading doctoral training that develops research capacity in strategic areas, tackles societal challenges through interdisciplinary arts and humanities research, and prepares students for diverse careers within and beyond academia. They also aim to address underrepresentation, close skills gaps, and strengthen collaboration between academia, industry, and communities for wider societal benefit.

As the lead institution on the Celtic Crescent Creative Economy Doctoral Focal Award, Bangor will spearhead innovative research into the role of bilingual and rural communities in the creative economy, with a focus on regions often overlooked in national creative strategies. This award will fund 20 PhDs and brings together a consortium of universities committed to bilingualism, including Aberystwyth University, Falmouth University, the University of Aberdeen, Glasgow School of Art, the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and the University of South Wales. The consortium is supported by 27 industry and sectoral partners, ranging from local TV and Film Studios, Aria, to Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol, to internationally recognised craft producers like Harris Tweed in Scotland.

Bangor is also a partner in a second AHRC Focal Award, Llês, led by Swansea University, on behalf of the Wales Arts and Humanities Association which focuses on health and wellbeing. This project will work closely with the Office of Future Generations Commissioner for Wales.

Both awards align closely with the AHRC’s vision of supporting interdisciplinary, impactful research that contributes to a healthier, more creative UK.

Professor Ruth McElroy, Head of the School of Arts, Culture and Language, said, “This is a major opportunity to grow a new generation of bilingual, multidisciplinary researchers. Through collaborative, place-based research, we’re recognising the vital role that rural, coastal and multilingual communities play in the UK’s creative economy and social wellbeing and, crucially, creating a talent pipeline that will be a driving force for industrial innovation.”

PhD students will be provided with hands-on research opportunities in collaboration with industry partners and community organisations. The focus will be on developing future-facing skills and opening up career pathways both within and beyond academia, particularly in underrepresented areas and sectors.

AHRC Executive Chair Professor Christopher Smith said, “Introducing Focal Awards allows us to support cohorts of students in centres for excellence for strategically valuable areas such as health and the creative economy. In the future this approach will allow us, in consultation with the sector, to provide support where it is needed to disciplines across the arts and humanities, vital skills and digital humanities. But the scope for individual projects is wide and autonomy for researchers remains as important as ever.

“The Focal Awards exemplify AHRC’s approach to doctoral training and our ambition for a sustainable portfolio providing support for training, investigator-led research, strategic direction and building the infrastructure necessary for people and ideas for the future of arts and humanities.”

����ר�� is proud to contribute to be leading in this national effort and looks forward to working on inclusive, impactful research that nurtures future researchers, strengthens regional economies, and enhances cultural life across the UK.