Brexit’s effect on Wales

Experts from Cardiff University are examining the impact of an explosive political period upon Wales, at this year’s National Eisteddfod.

The country is experiencing unprecedented political fall-out following the EU referendum, plans to shake-up Welsh devolution and a Welsh Assembly election.

The consequences will be discussed at several politically-focused events that will complement the University’s activities looking at Welsh language, culture and heritage.

Topics include the effects of Brexit on Wales, attitudes of young people to the EU referendum and the potential impact of tax devolution in Wales.

This year’s National Eisteddfod takes place at Castle Meadows, Abergavenny, from 29 July to 6 August and the University has more than 50 separate activities.

Professor Colin Riordan, Vice-Chancellor, said: “We are extremely proud to be a Welsh university that contributes an enormous amount to our country economically, socially and culturally.

“The National Eisteddfod is one of the jewels in the Welsh crown and it is a pleasure for us to play a major role each year. Please do come along and enjoy our talks, discussions, concerts and films.

“It has been a dramatic few months politically and, among our events focusing on Welsh language and culture, we will also be trying to make sense of what it all means for Wales.”

Professor Richard Wyn Jones and Professor Roger Scully, of the University’s Wales Governance Centre, will examine how Wales might be affected by the recent Brexit vote.

They will present their take on the dramatic referendum and its fall out in the Cymdeithasau 2 pavilion from 11:30 to 12:30 on 3 August.

Dr Sioned Pearce, School of Social Sciences, will present research on young people and politics in Wales including the EU referendum, at an event at the Cardiff University tent on 1 August from 14:00-15:00.

She will talk about issues such as voter preference, turnout, trust and media sources used during the campaign.

Guto Ifan from the Wales Governance Centre joins Professor Jones to tackle a different subject also of major importance, outlining the challenges and opportunities for tax devolution in Wales at an event at Cymdeithasau 1 from 12:00 to 13:00 on Friday, 5 August.

Outside of politics, this summer the University is celebrating work which turns its outstanding research into ‘real world’ products, services and spin-out companies that change the way Wales works.

Innovation brings together academics, students and private and public sector partners to build new collaborations with the wider world.

The Summer of Innovation, which runs until early October, shines a light on a wide range of the University’s research.

This includes a £1.8m community-driven project, involving other universities, that aims to develop a 10m-word Welsh language resource.

CorCenCC, Corpws Cenedlaethol Cymraeg Cyfoes - the National Corpus of Contemporary Welsh - will benefit teachers, learners, translators, publishers, policy-makers, language technology developers, academics and others.

You can hear more about the project in the Cardiff University tent from 11:00 on 2 August and in the Swansea University tent from 11:00 on 3 August.

Another fascinating event focusing on the Welsh language, specifically dialects, is hosted by linguist Dr Iwan Wyn Rees, of the School of Welsh, at the Cardiff University tent from 12:00 on Friday, 5 August.

Dr Rees is examining traditional Welsh dialects that are dying out in the area hosting this year’s Eisteddfod.

With the help of two respected experts, Dr Rees will also look at how traditional Welsh dialects recorded around Abergavenny differ from other parts of the country.

Other highlights include a discussion on the future of television in Wales (13:00-14:00 on 1 August) featuring a panel of political and industry experts.

The University’s pavilion will be open to visitors throughout the Eisteddfod and will also feature family activities, films, music and refreshments.