A new academic opportunity is being launched to uncover the rich history of Jewish healthcare professionals in Wales, from the 18th century to the present day.
Bangor University, in partnership with the Jewish History Association of Wales, is offering a fully funded postgraduate research position to explore the stories of Jewish doctors, dentists, pharmacists, nurses, midwives, and other healthcare workers who have made significant contributions to Welsh society. The scholarship includes full course fee coverage and additional funding for travel and research expenses.
The initiative is supported by an endowment from the family of the late Gerald Goodwin, a German Jewish refugee who established a long-running dental practice in the South Wales valleys. It aims to shed light on the often-overlooked legacy of Jewish professionals in Welsh healthcare.
Professor Nathan Abrams from Bangor’s School of Arts, Culture and Language will supervise the research. “Medicine has traditionally been viewed as a Jewish profession,” he said. “In Wales, we’ve had some outstanding practitioners whose stories deserve to be told. We’re seeking someone with curiosity and an understanding of Jewish life to help bring these histories to light.”
Abrams emphasized that the research will not be limited to physicians: “Jewish contributions span dentistry, psychology, psychiatry, nursing, midwifery, and more. We want to understand how Jewish immigrants entered these fields, their professional successes, and the barriers they overcame—including issues of discrimination and integration.”
He also noted the importance of examining how cultural identity and immigration shaped both healthcare practice and community life in Wales. “Jewish professionals have played a key role in shaping Welsh healthcare, but much of this history remains undocumented.”
David Goodwin, son of Gerald and Ruth Goodwin, said, “My parents fled Nazi Germany and found safety in Wales, where their medical careers began alongside the birth of the NHS. This project will ensure that the contributions of Jewish émigrés to Welsh healthcare are finally recognized and recorded.”
Applicants should ideally hold at least a 2:1 degree in history, Jewish studies, history of science, or a related social science field. Welsh language skills are preferred but not required. The deadline for applications is 14 July, with the position beginning at the start of the new academic year in September. Photo by Andrew Woodvine from Bangor, Wikimedia commons.