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The , led by the ���Ҵ�ý (UWTSD) in collaboration with researchers from Coventry University and the University of Edinburgh, recently held an event at The Pierhead building in Cardiff Bay to share key research findings and policy recommendations from its three-year ESRC-funded study.

Organised in partnership with the Muslim Council of Wales and in collaboration with the Senedd, the event was sponsored by Julie Morgan MS and attracted cross-party engagement. Representatives from the Welsh Government’s Digital Inclusion and Anti-Racist Wales teams were also present, alongside third-sector organisations working in equality, community development, and faith-based engagement.

Opening the event, Julie Morgan MS emphasised the importance of understanding the digital lives of faith communities across Wales. The session was chaired by Dr Michael Munnik (Cardiff University), who introduced presentations from Professor Gary Bunt (UWTSD), the project’s Principal Investigator, and Dr Laura Jones (University of Edinburgh), one of the project’s Research Fellows.

Their presentation explored how British Muslims engage with digital platforms in relation to themes such as religious authority, gender, and political agency. The researchers highlighted a significant gendered digital safety gap, with Muslim women reporting a greater sense of vulnerability online than their male counterparts. They encouraged policymakers and community organisations to address this gap and support safer, more inclusive digital spaces.

The team also recommended ensuring religious minority groups are included in efforts to improve digital access and skills. In particular, integrating faith communities into the Welsh Government’s work on the Minimum Digital Living Standard could help support hybrid (in-person and online) community engagement and collaboration across Wales.

Professor Gary Bunt said:

“This event was an important opportunity to bring academic research into dialogue with those shaping policy and supporting communities in Wales. Our findings show how digital spaces are used in meaningful ways by Muslim communities while also revealing inequalities that need urgent attention. We hope our work contributes to building a more inclusive and informed digital future.”

A response was offered by Shahinoor Alom, Deputy Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Wales, who reflected on the changing patterns of digital engagement and activism in Muslim communities, particularly in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. A lively Q&A followed, with contributions on interfaith collaboration, digital safety, and expressions of Welsh Muslim identity online.

The Digital British Islam team will be sharing a concise policy brief with Members of the Senedd and attendees in the coming weeks. The event will also be featured on BBC Radio Cymru.

Further Information

Arwel Lloyd

Principal PR and Communications Officer    
Corporate Communications and PR    
Email:  arwel.lloyd@uwtsd.ac.uk    
Phone: 07384 467076