Previous Events
Friday 18 November 2022
Curator’s talk and exhibition
Dr Andrea Hammel
Refugees from National Socialism in Wales: Learning from the Past for the Future
This exhibition traces the history of refugees in Wales from the 1930s until the present day. It tells the stories of those who fled from National Socialism in Central Europe to find sanctuary, drawing parallels with modern-day refugees. It includes artworks, objects, photographs, and literature, and a film. Curator Andrea Hammel will give a short introductory tour to the exhibition explaining its context and aims and there will be plenty of time for questions. All welcome!
The exhibition remains open until 29 January 2023.
Monday 21 November 2022
Sessions aimed at Welsh Learners
Dr Robin Chapman
Cyflwyniad i Wythnos yng Nghymru Fydd gan Islwyn Ffowc Elis
Introduction to a 1950 time-travel novel To a future Wales (2033) by Islwyn Ffowc Elis
Yn y ddwy sesiwn bydd staff o Adran (department) y Gymraeg ac Astudiaethau Celtaidd y Brifysgol yn rhoi cyflwyniad (introduction) i ddau ffigwr pwysig yn llenyddiaeth (literature) Cymru, a dau sydd wedi dychmygu (imagine) byd gwell (a better world).
Bydd geirfa (vocabulary) ar y powerpoint a bydd y cyflwyniadau’n addas (suitable) ar gyfer (for) dysgwyr Sylfaen +.
Geirfa glir. Sgwrsio araf. Hwyl.
Clear vocabulary. Slow pace. Fun.
Rhowch gynnig arni. Give it a go!
Reimagining Welshness: New & Emerging Research
This panel discussion has been organised by the Centre for Welsh Politics and Society (CWPS) and showcases emerging work by early-career researchers from across Wales, whose projects are contributing to developing new and evolving images of what constitutes ‘Welshness’. Together, the panel seeks to understand how we understand and define Wales today. The panel includes contributions from: Anne Marie Carty, University of Westminster Sally Clifford, Aberystwyth University Alison Elliott, Aberystwyth University Rhys Morgan, Cardiff Metropolitan University The Panel will be chaired by Professor Matthew Jarvis, Deputy Head of the Graduate School, Aberystwyth University, and co-Chair of the Association for Welsh Writing in English. After the panel there will be an opportunity to network with complimentary teas, coffees and pastries.
Dialogue and the nature of knowing and seeing
Professor Rowan Williams
Professor Mererid Hopwood
Professor Rowan Williams and Professor Mererid Hopwood discuss the role of dialogue in creating better futures. The translation of the title of this event suggests how speakers of different languages can view the world in different ways. In Welsh, it has three verbs: ‘gwybod’, ‘adnabod’ and ‘gweld’, in English, two: ‘knowing’ and ‘seeing’. This conversation will explore how dialogue through and across languages can deepen our ability to perceive and understand the relationships between us and the world around us.
Tuesday 22 November 2022
10th anniversary of Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol
Celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol with talks and a reception. The event includes contributions from: Dr Catrin Wyn Edwards A study of language policies in education, integration and international immigration in Catalonia Dr Bleddyn Owen Huws Compiling a complete collection of T. H. Parry-Williams's poetry Dr Hywel Griffiths The formation of potholes and their importance for the evolution of landscapes and the promotion of geoheritage
Overcoming climate anxiety
Jessica Kleczka
The climate crisis is the one of the biggest threats to mental health, with research showing that 75% of young people believe that the future is frightening. Climate psychologist, activist and writer Jessica Kleczka will cover how we can channel climate anxiety into action whilst building resilience, and explain how those new to activism can find their role in the climate movement. Jessica is an Aberystwyth graduate and now researches effective climate change communication and how the climate crisis affects our mental health. She campaigns for a rapid fossil fuel phase-out and co-leads the Hero UK Climate Justice Circle.
Wednesday 23 November 2022
The wellbeing of future generations
Jacob Ellis
Lead Change Maker at the Office of the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales
Jacob's main responsibilities include advising senior stakeholders including Government Ministers to implement the Well-being of Future Generations Act. In 2019 he established the Future Generations Leadership Academy and has worked internationally to promote the world-leading legislation. He is Non-Executive Director of Literature Wales, a Trustee of Scouts Cymru and Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru. He is a former BBC Wales Journalist and is one of the alumni of the UNITE 2030 Youth Delegate Program.
15:00 – 16:00
Venue: Online
CLaRE Research Seminar Series
Nerys Fuller Love
Community Regeneration in Blaenau Ffestiniog
A team of researchers from Aberystwyth University’s Business School have been looking at community development organisations in Wales. We know that the effects of COVID-19 and BREXIT have had a negative effect on the Welsh economy and the role of these social enterprises has become increasingly important. In this seminar Nerys Fuller-Love focuses on a case study from Blaenau Ffestiniog highlighting the ways in which this location has adapted to a changing economic environment.
25 – 27 November 2022
Wales Ecology & Evolution Network Conference
The Wales Ecology & Evolution Network is a student-run annual conference which aims to promote post-graduate research and create a networking platform for early-career scientists at Welsh Universities. The conference will include a talk and poster sessions, keynotes, and social events. Keynote sessions will be delivered by Dr Alexander Georgiev and Professor Julia Jones. Through our broad theme of ecology and evolution, we aim to encourage participants from diverse subject fields. Whether you are coming to the end of your research project or have only just started, WEEN is a great platform to develop your conference presentation skills and communicate your work.
Monday 28 November 2022
Sessions aimed at Welsh Learners
Prof Mererid Hopwood
Eurig Salisbury
Cyflwyniad i’r Gynghanedd ac Ynys Afallon gan T. Gwynn Jones
Introduction to The idyll of Afallon (Avalon) as imagined by T. Gwynn Jones in Cynghanedd, a form of poetry unique to Wales
Yn y ddwy sesiwn bydd staff o Adran (department) y Gymraeg ac Astudiaethau Celtaidd y Brifysgol yn rhoi cyflwyniad (introduction) i ddau ffigwr pwysig yn llenyddiaeth (literature) Cymru, a dau sydd wedi dychmygu (imagine) byd gwell (a better world).
Bydd geirfa (vocabulary) ar y powerpoint a bydd y cyflwyniadau’n addas (suitable) ar gyfer (for) dysgwyr Sylfaen +.
Geirfa glir. Sgwrsio araf. Hwyl.
Clear vocabulary. Slow pace. Fun.
Rhowch gynnig arni. Give it a go!
14:00 – 15:00
Venue: 0.30 seminar room, IBERS
The future of sustainable food systems
A panel of local activists and Aberystwyth University researchers will discuss different aspects of how we can ensure more sustainable food systems for the future. The panel includes contributions from: Prof John Draper, Aberystwyth University Dr Catherine Howarth, Aberystwyth University Heather McClure, Aberystwyth Food Surplus Jane Powell, Garden Organic
Thursday 1 December 2022
10:00 – 12:00
Venue: Online
Sustainable cities
Professor Mark Whitehead
The wrong kinds of smart: critical perspectives on the techno-sustainable city
Dr Hannah Hughes
The place of cities in global environmental agreement-making
A joint session between Aberystwyth University and Pondicherry University researchers with the city councils, to discuss the opportunities and challenges in promoting sustainable cities in Wales and India in the future.
The session is being organised with the UK Science and Innovation Network, British High Commission in India, as part of the UK-India Twin Cities Marine Litter Partnership initiative.
Please register on the link above to access the virtual event platform.
The official launch of Centre for Transport and Mobility (CeTraM)
The official launch of Aberystwyth University’s new interdisciplinary Centre for Transport and Mobility (CeTraM) with Lee Waters MS, Deputy Minister for Climate Change.
The event includes contributions from:
Keynote: Dr Justin Spinney, Cardiff University
Transport, mobility and health
Prof. Charles Musselwhite Introducing transport and health
Dr Rachel Rahman
Rural healthcare and perspectives on transport and health
Prof. Peter Merriman
Mobility and the humanities
Friday 2 December 2022
GALWAD: the key principles of the project of Future Generations & Sustainability, Radical Inclusion and Innovation in Storytelling
Jacob Gough
Executive Director at Collective Cymru
GALWAD was a story for our times. Unfolding on social media channels in real-time over seven days in autumn 2022, it asked what if the future made contact with us in the present.
Inspired by the Well Being of Future Generations Act (2015), Wales’ remarkable law putting the rights of future generations at the heart of decision-making, GALWAD is a story that brings a possible future roaring into the present. It pushes the boundaries of how stories have been told, with characters and story-lines connecting across TV drama, live performance, social media and news.
Inspired by global expertise in the climatic, technological and social conditions of the next thirty years, 120 people from communities across Wales came together to imagine life in 2052. From a six-week process, the world-builders created a ‘story resource’ – Cymru in 2052 which was then used by designers, writers and the creative studio, Peter&Paul, in the making of the 2052 world of GALWAD.
Writing The Worlds We Want: Creative Writing workshop
Dr Jacqueline Yallop
Jacqueline Yallop’s recent books ‘Dreamstreets: A Journey Through Britain’s Village Utopias‘ and ‘Big Pig Little Pig: A Tale of Two Pigs in France‘ explored ways of building the worlds we want, from sustainable husbandry to flights of architectural fancy. Introducing this research, Jacqueline will talk about her work on utopian experiments.
The attendees will then have the opportunity to work on their own utopian ideas in a creative writing workshop building on the themes and examples discussed.
No writing experience necessary. Please bring something to write on/with.
19:00 – 20:00
Venue: Online
Finding Refuge: Stories of those who escaped to Wales to flee the Nazis
Dr Andrea Hammel
In this talk Dr Andrea Hammel (Director of the Centre for the Movement of People, CMOP) will tell the stories of those who fled to Wales from Central Europe in the 1930s to escape the Nazis. This talk includes the stories and photographs of workers, artists, entrepreneurs and child refugees. Most stories are complex and contain narratives of escape and hospitality but also of trauma and loss.
The date of this talk marks the 84th commemoration of the first Kindertransport with child refugees from Berlin arriving in the UK.
Saturday 3 December 2022
TEDxAberystwyth:
Local solutions to global issues
TEDxAberystwyth is a program of local, self-organised and non-profit events. Aberystwyth University research staff will give talks on the theme of: Local solutions to global issues.
The event features thought-provoking talks with novel and stimulating ideas from the arts, science, media, sport, environment, society and beyond.
Tickets are limited and available via Arts Centre website.
Venue: Online and in town
Words in Windows II
This year again, to coincide with Aberystwyth University's Festival of Research, three poets from the University will be penning a series of poems in response to manuscripts from the National Library of Wales dealing with this year's Festival theme: 'The Worlds We Want'. Following the success of Words in Windows I, the new collection of poems and manuscripts will be displayed online and on location in Aberystwyth. The works for this ‘Words in Windows' project have been composed by Eurig Salisbury and Mererid Hopwood from the University’s Department of Welsh and Celtic Studies, and Professor Matthew Jarvis from the Department of English and Creative Writing, with additional research and explanatory notes by Dr Cathryn Charnell-White. Working through the Network of the Written Word, a partnership with the National Library, and with Ceredigion County Council the project brings works from the past to the public's attention. Its aim is to use creative practice to throw new light on the past and to inspire new ideas for the present and future. More details on ‘Words in Windows’ exhibition to follow.
Monday 5 December 2022
19:30 – 20:30
Venue: Arts Centre Bar
Science Café
Professor Neil Glasser
Aberystwyth Science Café is delighted to re-emerge from Covid-enforced hibernation: we will meet on Mondays, once per month. Our opening event will be a talk by Professor Neil Glasser, Aberystwyth University’s Pro Vice-Chancellor, Faculty of Earth & Life Sciences. Prof. Glasser will explain the University’s ambitious plans to become a Net Zero Carbon institution by 2030. Come and learn how to turn science into practical solutions, and problems into opportunities like the University’s new solar array.
Wednesday 25 January 2023
Research Café
Dr Alice Vernon
The Research Café is relaunching under a new name, formerly known as Engagement Café.
Join us for an inaugural lunchtime session where Dr Alice Vernon will talk about her recent successes in crating research with an impact.
Going forward, this Café aims to give all researchers an opportunity to network and share best practice in knowledge exchange and research impact.
Lunch will be provided, or you are welcome to bring your own. Please let us know if you are attending and your dietary requirements.
Monday 6 February 2023
Aberystwyth University Public Lecture
Professor Olivette Otele
Restorative justice, the next step towards the world we want?
Olivette Otele Ph.D., FRHistS, FLSW is a Distinguished Professor of the Legacies and Memory of Slavery at SOAS, University of London. Her area of research is colonial and post-colonial history and the histories of people of African descent. Professor Otele was the first Black woman to be appointed to a professorial chair in History in the UK. Many institutions in Europe, North America have been trying to engage with a broad debate about reparations or forms of restorative justice for their involvement in the transatlantic slave enslavement from the 15th century onwards. The debate that was initiated by people of African descent in Africa, the Caribbean, North America and Europe, is taking on a new turn, two years after the murder of African American George Floyd. While the philosophical and economic ramifications of reparations are being discussed, the idea of restorative justice, seems to be merging in the UK institutions with anti-racist strategies. At a time when some contested histories of the past are still being erased or ignored while colonial legacies are being contested, can restorative justice lead us to a world we want?