Medwin Hughes

Medwin Hughes CBE DL FLSW FRSA is a Welsh academic who was the vice-chancellor of the University of Wales Trinity Saint David and of the University of Wales from 2011 until August 2023. He was previously principal of Trinity University College, Carmarthen and vice-chancellor of the University of Wales, Lampeter. ^[1]

Biography

Hughes studied at University College of Wales, Aberystwyth and Jesus College, Oxford. He earned his doctorate in the Faculty of Medieval and Modern Languages and Literature in 1987, for his thesis entitled "Studies in Calvinistic Methodist Welsh Literature, 1790-1825". ^[2]

Hughes began his career as a lecturer at the North East Wales Institute of Higher Education, Trinity College, Carmarthen, and Cardiff University. ^[3] In 1994, he returned to Trinity College, Carmarthen to join its leadership team as dean. ^[3] He then rose through the ranks as assistant principal (1997–1998), deputy principal (1998–2000), and finally served as its principal and vice-chancellor from 2000 to 2009. ^[3] Trinity College, Carmarthen was awarded degree awarding powers in 2008 and was renamed to Trinity University College (Trinity UC) in 2009. ^[4] From 2009 to 2010, he was vice-chancellor of both Trinity UC and University of Wales, Lampeter, during a period of merger between the two universities. ^[5] He then became vice-chancellor of the newly created University of Wales Trinity Saint David in July 2010. ^[6] In October 2011, he additionally became vice-chancellor of the University of Wales after a scandal regarding the university's overseas validation process. ^{[7] [8]} In response to the scandal, it was announced that the University of Wales, then the "second-largest degree awarding body in the United Kingdom with links to more than 130 colleges worldwide, would stop externally validating degrees; it would only award degrees for "courses it designs and fully controls". ^[8] Having overseen the "effective disbanding of the University of Wales", he retired as vice-chancellor in July 2023. ^[9]

In 2017, he chaired the Independent Review of Support for Publishing and Literature in Wales report to the Senedd. ^[10] In 2021, he was appointed as chair of the Representative Body of the Church in Wales. ^[11]

In 2013, Hughes was elected as a Fellow of the Learned Society of Wales (FLSW). ^[12] In the 2023 Birthday Honours, he was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) "for services to education and the Welsh language". ^[13]

Publications

• Medwin Hughes (1987) Ceiriog a'r traddodiad telynegol, Taliesin, 59 (1987), p. 62-69.
• Medwin Hughes (1988) Llyfr y Tri Aderyn : agweddau teipolegol, Transactions of the Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion, (1988), p. 47-58.
• Medwin Hughes (1989) Llwybrau (Dinbych : Gwasg Gee) (novel)
• Medwin Hughes (1989) Llythyrau William Erbery, Cylchgrawn Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru, 1989-07-01, Vol.26 (1), p. 17
• Medwin Hughes (1991) Idiom lwythol y llenor Piwritanaidd, Diwinyddiaeth, Rhif 42 (1991), p. 41-62.
• Medwin Hughes (1992) Mythau hanes 'Drych y Prif Oesoedd', Traethodydd (Denbigh, Wales), Cyf. 147 (1992), p. 89-95.
• Medwin Hughes (1993) Cerddi hir Pantycelyn : cerddi diwinyddiaeth hanes, Llên Cymru, Cyf. 17 (1993), t. 239-253.
• Medwin Hughes (1996) Citizenship 2000: Promoting the European Dimension, Evaluation & Research in Education, 10:2, 128-146, DOI: 10.1080/09500799608666911
• Glyn E. Jones, Medwin Hughes, Delyth Jones (1996) Y lefel drothwy : ar gyfer y Gymraeg (Strasbourg : Gwasg Cyngor Ewrop)
• Medwin Hughes (ed.) (1992) The Challenge of Diversity: Primary case studies (CAA Cymru, 1 Jan. 1992)
• Medwin Hughes (ed.) (1993) Blodeugerdd barddas o gerddi crefyddol (Cyhoeddiadau Barddas)
• Medwin Hughes (ed.) (1993) Saunders Lewis y bardd (Gwasg Gee, Dinbych)

References

1. Norris-Hill, Dr Jane (27 May 2009); New Vice-Chancellor for Lampeter ; [accessed 23 October 2011]
2. Hughes, Medwin (1987). Studies in Calvinistic Methodist Welsh Literature, 1790-1825 (DPhil thesis). University of Oxford. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
3. "Hughes, Prof. Medwin, Vice Chancellor: University of Wales Trinity St David, 2010–23; University of Wales, 2011–23". Who's Who 2025 . Oxford University Press. 1 December 2024. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
4. "History and Timeline". University of Wales Trinity Saint David. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
5. Lipsett, Anthea (17 April 2009). "End of an era for Lampeter, the oldest university in Wales". The Guardian. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
6. "College merger sealed by royal charter". BBC News. 22 July 2010. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
7. "University of Wales accused of 'significant failure'". BBC News. 6 July 2011. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
8. "University of Wales to stop validating other degrees". BBC News. 3 October 2011. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
9. Wightwick, Abbie (8 May 2023). "Wales' longest-serving university head leaves £240,000 a year job". Wales Online. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
10. "Hughes Review: What Next for the Industry of Welsh Literature?". 7 March 2018.
11. "Vice-Chancellor is new chair of Church's trustees".
12. Wales, The Learned Society of. "Medwin Hughes". The Learned Society of Wales. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
13. "No. 64082". The London Gazette (Supplement). 17 June 2023. p. B9.

Academic offices
Preceded by David Jones-Davies	Principal of Trinity College, Carmarthen 2000–2009	Position discontinued
New title	Vice-Chancellor of Trinity University College 2009–2010
Preceded by Alfred Morris	Vice-Chancellor of University of Wales, Lampeter 2009–2010
New title	Vice-Chancellor of University of Wales Trinity Saint David 2010–2023	Succeeded by Elwen Evans
Preceded by Marc Clement	Vice-Chancellor of the University of Wales 2011–2023