Impact of research and teaching showcased at National Eisteddfod

Cardiff University experts will explore the impact of its research and teaching on Welsh life at the 2022 National Eisteddfod in Tregaron.

Events will examine a variety of topics including children’s rights, politics, the environment, advances in medicine, the Welsh language and history.

Highlights include a discussion with Professor Sally Holland from the University’s School of Social Sciences, who will be reflecting on her experiences as Children’s Commissioner of Wales, as well as the impact of the pandemic on young people in Wales. She will also talk about her journey to becoming a fluent Welsh speaker and her belief that all national public leaders should learn the language if they are not already bilingual. (Aug 3 at Societies Tent 1)

In another talk, Professor Richard Wyn Jones of the Wales Governance Centre will use data from the Welsh Election Study to explain the foundational reasons for Labour’s remarkable success, 100 years after the party won its first national election in Wales. (Aug 4 at Societies Tent 2)

And in a session run by the University’s School of Journalism, Media and Culture, journalists Branwen Thomas (ITV), Delyth Isaac (BBC) and Geraint Evans (S4C) will discuss the future for news in Wales. (August 4 at the Cardiff University Tent)

Science plays a prominent part, with an opportunity to learn more about an innovative project which uses MRI technology in order to track the movement of the tongue and other parts of the vocal tract when Welsh sounds are produced. The talk will consider how the findings could help learners of Welsh with certain pronunciation difficulties. (Aug 1 at the Cardiff University Tent)

There are plenty of hands-on-activities at the Science and Technology Village too, exploring the impact of microplastics on the environment, as well as advances in medicine development, and DNA.

Dean for the Welsh Language at Cardiff University, Dr Huw Williams said: “With such a strong programme of talks and events, this year’s National Eisteddfod, the first in-person one since before Covid, promises to be better than ever. Cardiff University is committed to promoting Welsh culture and our academics and professional services staff are excited about showcasing our research and expertise to the public. Students are also at the heart of what we do and many of them will be joining us to share their experiences of studying with us through the medium of Welsh.”

Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Damian Walford Davies said: “Cardiff University is excited about reconnecting with Eisteddfod-goers on the maes. Our events showcase the Wales-centred, life-changing research we conduct across our subjects. Research needs to reach its audiences and beneficiaries through demonstrations, talks and engaging narratives, and Tregaron will be a buzzing centre of that engagement.”

The 2022 National Eisteddfod takes place in Tregaron from 30 July to 6 August 2022.

Other highlights include:

• Dr David Callander of the School of Welsh offers insights into Myrddin's role in Welsh poetry. (July 30 at the Cardiff University Tent)
• Dean of Welsh Dr Huw Williams talks about historical figure Henry Richard, from his childhood in Tregaron to his career as secretary of the Peace Society in London (July 30 at the Cardiff University Tent)
• Professor Arwyn T Jones from Cardiff University's School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences discusses how recent microscopy technologies have given him visible access to our cells’ interiors. (July 30, Science and Technology Village)
• Dr Elen Ifan of the School of Welsh explores the significance of translation to the National Eisteddfod in the latter half of the twentieth century. (August 4 at the Cardiff University Tent)
• Adam Pierce, Siôn Jones and Alys Jones from the School of Social Sciences talk about online educational resource Esboniadur Gwyddorau Cymdeithasol (Social Science Glossary). (Fri 5 August, Cardiff University Tent)
  Dr Siôn Jones reflects on research on students' and lecturers' experiences of Welsh-medium and Irish-medium education in universities in Wales and Ireland. (Friday 5 August, Cardiff University Tent)
• Dr Laura Arman reveals some of the findings of the WISERD Multi-Cohort Study 2021: a survey of the opinions of secondary school pupils from all over Wales during the last year. (Sat 6 August, Cardiff University Tent)

For the full Cardiff University programme click here.