Dr Aled Llion Jones is Professor and Head of School at Bangor University's School of Welsh, Department of Welsh and Celtic Studies. He holds advanced degrees from Harvard University (PhD in Celtic Studies, MA), Cardiff University (MPhil in Welsh), and Leeds University (BA in Philosophy and English). His academic career spans institutions across Wales, Poland, Ireland, and the United States, including positions at Catholic University of Lublin, NUI Galway, and Harvard University where he served as Visiting Professor. PhD, Celtic Studies, Harvard University (2005-2011) MA, Harvard University (2005-2007) MPhil, Welsh, Cardiff University (1997-2000) BA, Philosophy and English, Leeds University (1993-1996) Professor Jones works at the intersection of philosophy and literary theory, bringing these disciplines into dialogue with medieval and modern Welsh and Irish literatures. His research focuses on two primary areas: twentieth-century philosophy (particularly Heidegger, Blanchot, Buber, and Derrida) and medieval Welsh literature. A central thread connecting these interests is Martin Buber's 1914 translation of the Four Branches of the Mabinogi and the conceptual cross-fertilization between Welsh legends and humanist-Hasidic traditions. He is currently examining concepts of time, temporality, and historiography in medieval Welsh and Irish literature, exploring how literary forms express conceptual and aconceptual experiences of time, place, and utopia. He is also preparing an accessible introduction to Philosophy of Literature in Welsh, which will be the first of its kind focusing specifically on Welsh literature. His recent publications demonstrate a consistent trajectory exploring the intersections of philosophy, time, and medieval Welsh literature. The 15 most recent works show particular emphasis on temporal theory in medieval contexts, Welsh poetic structures, Arthurian literature, and the philosophical implications of Welsh literary traditions. These works span multiple languages and publication formats including monographs, edited volumes, and scholarly articles in prestigious journals. Rownd Derfynol Prize (2016) Professor Jones coordinates the 'Celts' MA program and oversees Welsh MA students at Bangor University. He has recently supervised two PhD projects: Philip Davies' comparative study of nationalism discourses in late nineteenth-century Wales and the Basque Country, and Angelika Rüdiger's study of Welsh folklore motifs from medieval to modern periods. He serves as both internal and external examiner for PhD projects across multiple schools including Welsh, History, and Philosophy. His extensive translation work includes Polish poetry for the North Wales International Poetry Festival and Irish to Welsh translations published in academic contexts. He is an active participant in public intellectual life, delivering talks from village halls to national broadcast media including BBC Radio Cymru, and engaging with community language teaching in Welsh, Polish, and Irish.
