Next 30: Manon George

Manon George is a Lecturer in Law and member of the Wales Governance Centre at Cardiff University from Canton, Cardiff

To mark three decades of the IWA’s role in making Wales better, we decided to look forward to ‘the next thirty years’ by introducing some of the people who will be shaping ‘the Welsh agenda’ as the future unfolds. We have teamed up with PricewaterhouseCoopers and their #GreatWales campaign, which celebrates the ideas and people who contribute to the Wales of the future.

 

Manon George is a Lecturer in Law and member of the Wales Governance Centre at Cardiff University

from Canton, Cardiff

My interest in Welsh devolution started as a Law student and after graduating I worked on the project ‘Wales Legislation Online’ before being appointed to a Law lectureship, partly funded by the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol, at Cardiff University. I’m passionate about Welsh medium education and equal opportunities and have helped transform legal education through the medium of Welsh at Cardiff University where you can now study a full Law programme in Welsh.

I lecture in Public Law and the Law of Devolution and have a special interest in the Welsh constitutional settlement. I contributed to the scrutiny of the Wales Act 2017;  however, I believe that Wales’ constitutional journey still faces major challenges. I’d like to see an end to quick-fix solutions and political compromises to give Wales a workable and sustainable devolution settlement, although, in that event, I’d probably have to find a new research interest!

I regularly commentate on Welsh law and politics for the media and recently presented my first documentary about my great, great Uncle, David Lloyd George. When conducting research on administrative devolution to Wales, where the Welsh devolution story started, I still find it odd reading my family name in the history books. I share his prominent square chin and energy but not his political ambitions – I’m much happier analysing decisions than making them myself!

I’m moved by the generosity and sincerity of my great-grandfather William George (the younger brother of David Lloyd George), who sacrificed his personal and professional life so that his brother could pursue his career. For that reason, I am inspired by all those people working hard behind the scenes, not just on the main stage, to make Wales better.

 

Each day, throughout the month of June, we are celebrating the exceptional people on the Next 30 list by publishing a short pen portrait here on Click on Wales, as well as raising their profile on Twitter using #IWAnext30 and #GreatWales to highlight the exciting contributions these people are making to Wales’ future.

 

Also within People and Places