University experts feature at Hay Festival 2022

Discussing the Welsh Way, Neoliberalism and Devolution

Cardiff University returns to the internationally respected festival in person this summer, with events covering disinformation, Welsh neoliberalism and devolution, and science and the public perception of experts.

Senior Lecturer in Philosophy and Dean for the Welsh Language Dr Huw Williams is part of the four-strong panel discussing the book The Welsh Way: Essays on neoliberalism and devolution – Wednesday 1 June, 16:00 (Cube)

Upon its publication in 2021, the bookhad an immediate impact on the understanding of Welsh politics and the discourse of radical politics in Wales.

Challenging the rhetoric of Welsh Labour and its record in power – and the broader perception of the British left – its wide range of author-activists, practitioners and academics dissect the narratives, policies and assumptions that structure perceptions of our politics, and tackle the myth that Welsh politics is somehow more progressive than that of its neighbours.

Welsh Way co-editor Dr Williams joins author of The Story of Wales Jon Gower, Chair of Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg Mabli Jones, and Catrin Ashton (Communist Party), at The Welsh Way: Essays on neoliberalism and devolution on Wednesday 1 June at 16L00 in The Cube.

Dr Williams said:

“It’s great that we are able to discuss the politics of Wales on such a platform. The paucity of the Welsh public sphere and media - as discussed in the book by my colleague Huw Rees – means it’s often difficult to get the level of attention the subject merits. This situation has itself contributed to some of the myths and misconceptions we’ll be discussing around a unique political society that deserves to, and simply must be discussed on its own terms. In this regard, to be staging the discussion in Welsh is in of itself an important and symbolic act.”

Other University Hay events include lunchtime lecture Disinform, distort, deceive with Security, Crime and Intelligence Innovation Institute Director Professor Martin Innes on Saturday 28 May and Science, the public and the pandemic: are we sick of experts? with Dr Thomas Woolley and Dr Emma Yhnell on Monday 30 May.

Hay Festival returns in-person at Hay-on-Wye from 26 May to 5 June 2022, with its Online Festival Pass also giving access to 76 events from anywhere in the world.