My doctoral research has focussed on the 16th century witch trials, particularly within Wales. My novel, Witsh, explores the gendered nature of the sixteenth century witch trials, focussing on how these acts of collective violence were made manifest in early modern Wales. The novel brings awareness to how the shifting political landscape affected cultural beliefs in magic and the supernatural, and ultimately led to several deaths on charges of witchcraft.
Research output.
Hansh S4C: Gwrach, Plis! ✨ Modern Day Witches of Wales
Coel Gwrach gyda Sian Melangell Dafydd ac Efa Lois
Interview with BBC Radio Cymru | Dros Ginio: Be sy tu ol i’r cynnydd diweddar mewn gwrachyddiaeth?
Interview with BBC Radio Cymru | Dei Tomos
Interview with BBC Alba
Poem with BBC The Slate: Gwen ferch Ellis
Article in The Conversation: Black hats, cauldrons and broomsticks: the historic origins of witch iconography
Article in The Conversation: Curses, whispers and a demon fly: this is the story of the first Welshwoman executed for witchcraft
Article in The Conversation: Horrifying black sows and ghostly apparitions: how the magic and mystery of Wales come alive in winter
Article in The Conversation: Why so few witches were executed in Wales in the middle ages
Conferences
‘Writing the Welsh ‘Witsh:’ Gwen ferch Ellis and the Historical Novel’ at Women’s Archive Wales (WAW) Conference, 2025
‘Writing the Welsh ‘Witsh:’ The Supernatural Other in Early Modern Wales’ at Association of Welsh Writing in English (AWWE) Conference, 2024
‘The Welsh ‘Witsh’: How Culture, Superstition and Religion Halted Witch Trials in Medieval Wales’ at Romancing the Gothic Conference, 2023
‘The Un/Familiar: the Alignment of Women and Beasts in Medieval Wales’ at Witchcraft and the Supernatural Conference, 2023
Mari Ellis Dunning 