On International Children’s Books Day (April 2nd), the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) in partnership with the Books Council of Wales are delighted to announce that they have awarded a PhD scholarship in the internationalisation of children’s literature to Megan Farr from Penarth.
Over the next three years, Megan Farr will develop a strategy for the internationalisation of children’s stories for the publishing sector in Wales.
Megan will explore the appropriate strategies that the publishing sector in Wales needs to develop in order to strengthen its operations at an international level in the field of children’s literature. The project will focus on three specific aspects: import; export and co-production.
Megan has a wealth of experience of working in publishing industry and is delighted to have the opportunity to contribute to the growth of the industry through her research.
“Having worked in the literature and publishing industry in Wales for the past six years, and many years in England before that, I am grateful for the opportunity this scholarship brings for me to increase and consolidate my knowledge and learn new skills,” said Megan. “With the Welsh Government’s increased focus on growing the creative sector in Wales and exporting Welsh culture, I hope this research will be useful to the publishing industry in Wales and beyond.”
Discussing this unique research opportunity, UWTSD’s Professor Elin Haf Gruffydd Jones said: “This is a very exciting and timely project for the publishing sector in Wales with a new emphasis on international activity. As a supervisory team, we are very proud of this partnership with the Books Council of Wales and are delighted that someone as experienced and skilled as Megan has been awarded this scholarship.”
The Books Council of Wales is pleased to partner with UWTSD on this project and looks forward to working with Megan on this important international research.
“A good story can travel the world, unhindered by geographical borders,” said Helgard Krause, Chief Executive of the Books Council of Wales. “By sponsoring Megan Farr’s doctoral research, the aim is to find which children’s books from Wales travel best and why. What are the universal themes which attract young readers and what styles of writing are most successful? Megan has more than 20 years’ experience in the international publishing industry and the findings of her research will enable us to further develop talent from Wales in this important field as well as draw inspiration from literature outside our own country.”
This scholarship is one of two creative industries based PhDs awarded by UWTSD. The scholarship includes UK / EU tuition fees plus stipend starting at £14,628. Megan Farr has now embarked on her PhD scheme which is funded by the Knowledge Economy Skills Scholarship (KESS 2 East).
For further information on this research, please email Professor Elin Haf Gruffydd Jones [email protected]
