This document outlines the academic rationale and aims for a proposed book on rural Wales. It discusses the long tradition of research on rural Wales, with the last major publication in 1997. It aims to highlight recent research on social, cultural, economic, welfare and environmental themes in rural Wales. The book will be compiled by researchers from various Welsh universities and provide both academic and policy-relevant perspectives on the changing nature of rural Wales. It will include chapters on topics like demographics, economy, landscape, community and farming. However, a letter indicates that planned funding from HEFCW for research publications will be withdrawn, putting the planned publication of this book in jeopardy.

2. Academic rationale for
the book
• Long tradition of academic
research and writing on rural
Wales
• Last research monograph on rural
Wales published in 1997
• Changing nature of rural Wales
• Critical mass of rural researchers
in Welsh universities
• Significant volume of research
undertaken by the WRO

3. “He’s gone: but you can see his tracks still, in the snow of the world”
Norman MacCaig, Praise of a Man
Dr Bill Edwards (1944-2007)

4. Aims
• Highlight recent research on social,
cultural, economic, welfare and
environmental themes in rural
Wales
• Provide a particular focus on the
geographies of rural Wales
• Weave together past, present and
future narratives on rural Wales
• Produce a cutting-edge academic
text that also has relevance to policy
audiences
• Construct a book on rural Wales,
made in Wales but that speaks
beyond Wales
• Chapters written by Bill’s colleagues

5. Contributors
• Graham Day
• Keith Halfacree
• Graham Gardner
• Michael Woods
• Lawrence Kitchen
• Terry Marsden
• Kevin Morgan
• Kate Moles
• Jon Radcliffe
• Richard Cowell
• Nerys Owens

6. Continuity and change
• Rural demographics
• Rural economy
• Landscape and environment
• Rural community
• Farming

7. 15/11/2010
Dear Professor Milbourne
Re: Withdrawal of the HEFCW Publication Fund
We regret that we must inform you of notification received that
HEFCW is to withdraw funding for research publications, effective
as from 1 August 2011.
….
The immediate consequence of this decision is that the Press will
find itself unable to proceed with the publication of any titles
contracted under HEFCW criteria unless authors and/or academic
affiliates are able to ensure funding that covers the HEFCW
withdrawal. Contracts issued to academics under HEFCW criteria
are no longer valid and will require re-drafting to reflect any new
funding arrangements.
….
The decision by HEFCW will affect the following:
The Geographies of Rural Wales: publication date 2011-12
The circumstances of this change will be distressing for you and
your colleagues, as it is for us at the University of Wales Press….