Aberystwyth University at the National Eisteddfod

Ceredigion Bay

100 years of broadcasting in Wales, how tourism can support the sustainability of Welsh-speaking communities, the opportunities and challenges facing young people in political campaigning and Wales’ constitutional future are amongst the subjects under discussion on the Aberystwyth University stand at this week’s National Eisteddfod.

There will also be an opportunity to listen to some of Wales’ most prominent poets discuss poetry as the Clera podcast is recorded live on Tuesday afternoon, and to hear a discussion on writing for reciting, including a contribution by Wales’ Archdruid elect, on Thursday afternoon.

Wednesday sees the launch of Professor Emeritus Gruffydd Aled Williams' tribute volume, Penrhaith ein Heniaith Ni, in the company of the man himself and the volume's editors, T. Robin Chapman and Bleddyn Owen Huws from the University's Department of Welsh and Celtic Studies.

There will also be an opportunity to watch some of the festival’s main ceremonies and to join in the popular annual alumni reunion which takes place at 2pm on Wednesday.

We are also pleased to be the main sponsor for Maes B, Wales' premier Welsh language music festival, again this year.

Aberystwyth University at the National Eisteddfod 2023

Monday 7 August

11:00 Education, Time and Place

Recent research on current issues in Welsh education by the School of Education, Aberystwyth University.

• Dr Rhodri Aled Evans: 'Transmission in a Pandemic: pupils' and parents' experiences of non-Welsh speaking households of transferring to a Welsh medium secondary school.'
• Dr Lucy Trotter: 'The experiences of single parents studying at UK universities during the COVID-19 pandemic.'
• Dr Delyth Jones: 'Why do secondary pupils in Wales choose to study Modern Foreign Languages as a GCSE subject?'
• Dr Andrew James Davies: 'Young people as strategic selectors: evaluating the evidence for Welsh-medium post-compulsory education.'

15:20 The Spirit of the Battle: Celebrating 20 years of the Ifor Davies Prize
The winner of this year's award will be announced at Y Lle Celf and the 'Celebrating 20 years of the Ifor Davies Award' continues on Aberystwyth University's stand with a film screening by Pete Telfer, and informal talks by former award winners.

Tuesday 8 August

11:00 Cafflogion and Garn Fadryn:

The Landscape of R. Gerallt Jones's Imagination

A discussion of R. Gerallt Jones's science fiction novel Cafflogion (winner of the Prose Medal in 1979) and its link to the area of his childhood, the village of Llaniestyn and Carn Fadryn mountain (which can be seen from the Eisteddfod Field).

15:00 100 years of broadcasting in Wales

The BBC is celebrating a century of broadcasting in Wales this year. This lecture will evaluate the Corporation's contribution to Welsh life since 1923.

16:30 Clera Podcast

Come and watch part of Clera's podcast recorded live with Eurig Salisbury, Aneirin Karadog, Gruffudd Antur and special guests.

Wednesday 9 August

10:00 A conversation with Aberystwyth University's Post Graduate Certificate of Education team

Come for a chat and to meet members of the team to find out more about the PGCE course.

11:00 Wales, Geography, and the History of Science: EG Bowen Annual Lecture

Emrys George Bowen FRGS, FSA (28 December 1900 – 8 November 1983) was an internationally renowned geographer with a particular interest in the physical and social geography of Wales. This annual lecture is delivered by a distinguished researcher from the University where Bowen lectured from the 1920s until his death in 1983, Aberystwyth University.

This event takes place inCymdeithasau 1

11:30 Launch of Professor Emeritus Gruffydd Aled Williams' tribute volume, Penrhaith ein Heniaith Ni

The launch of Professor Emeritus Gruffydd Aled Williams' tribute volume, Penrhaith ein Heniaith Ni, in the company of Aled and the volume's editors, T. Robin Chapman and Bleddyn Owen Huws from the University's Department of Welsh and Celtic Studies. The event is chaired by Mererid Hopwood and Alaw Mai Edwards will be in attendance on behalf of Atebol Press. There will be an opportunity to buy copies on the day and meet some of the contributors.

11:30 J O Williams Memorial Lecture
Professor Andrew Evans, Head of the Department of Physics at Aberystwyth University will lecture on the work of Professor J O Williams, one of the scientists from the area of the Eisteddfod, and the latest developments since then.

The event will take place in Y Sfferen, Science and Technology

14:00 Aberystwyth University Alumni Reunion

Thursday 10 August

11:00 The viability of Welsh communities and Tourism - Aberystwyth University CWPS and CUPHAt session in conjunction with the Office of the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales

This session will discuss if there are ways tourism can support the sustainability of Welsh-speaking communities. Looking ahead how could tourism develop to support the viability of Welsh-speaking communities?

13:00 Writing for Reciting

What are the origins of the tradition of reciting poems and prose? What makes a piece suitable for recitation? And what should our poets and writers create for the reciters? Guto Dafydd quizzing Mererid Hopwood and Cefin Roberts.

15:00 Announcing the winners of the DarParu Translation Awards

An opportunity to celebrate young translators and announce the winners of the translation competition for 16-21 year olds. The competition is sponsored by the DarParu Language Training Centre, Aberystwyth University.

Dydd Gwener 11 Awst

10:00 - 18:00 Nursing Activities

Come along to the stand to meet our Nursing staff, and have a chance to measure your blood pressure and much more.
11:00 Campaigning among young people

Aberystwyth University Department of International Politics Session

What are the opportunities and challenges facing young people in political campaigning? Is there something specifically Welsh about the campaigning seen among young people? Panel discussion with current and former students of the Department of International Politics.          

12:00 Understanding 'Nationalism of the Poor': Panel discussion
Centre for Welsh Politics and Society Session, Aberystwyth University

Investigating the idea of the 'nationalism of impoverished regions' and the impact on the strategies of nationalist movement. Discussing IMAJINE project findings that was led by Aberystwyth University and responses from Bangor and Cardiff University experts.

This event takes place inCymdeithasau 1

13:30-14:30 Wales' Constitutional Future: A Conversation with Dr Anwen Elias and Professor Laura McAlister

Session of the Centre for Welsh Politics and Society, Aberystwyth University in conjunction with the Independent Commission on the Constitutional Future of Wales

An opportunity to hear and discuss the work that has been done by the Commission to date including the options set out in the report and the ongoing engagement campaign to hear from people across the country.

14:30 UMCA Summer Reunion

An opportunity for current UMCA students to share their stories of all the summer adventures. The band Band Bwca will be performing live on the stand.

The full programme is also available on the Aberystwyth University website – click here, and a downloadable PDF version is available here.

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