Cardiff University pays tribute to Bobi Jones as it returns to Urdd National Eisteddfod

Young people will get the chance to hear a range of inspirational speakers from Cardiff University at this year’s Urdd National Eisteddfod in Denbigh.

The festival, which runs from 30 May to 4 June, is expected to attract up to 100,000 people over the week, many of whom will take part in competitions including song, dance and performance.

The University will host a series of talks, discussions and activities on the ‘Maes’, or Eisteddfod site.

Events include sessions exploring microplastics, the wonders of the human brain, discussions from former students who have since moved into journalism and media and the chance to explore the campus through virtual reality (VR).

It will also sponsor the Bobi Jones Medal for Welsh Learners, named after one of the most influential Welsh academics, born and raised in Cardiff, and himself an adult learner of the Welsh language.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Cardiff University, Professor Damian Walford Davies said: “As the Urdd celebrates its centenary, it’s a pleasure and privilege for Cardiff University to sponsor the medal named for the Cardiff-born learner who did so much to open up the language to others.

“We share the values that the medal itself celebrates: a commitment to the language and pride in hearing it reclaimed by new voices.”

Cardiff University’s Welsh Language Academy Manager, Catrin Jones, stated: “We are delighted to once again be supporting the Urdd National Eisteddfod as it returns to being an in-person event after the pandemic.

“Our presence at the festival is part of our commitment to raising the profile of the Welsh language and celebrating its culture, and we are excited to be sponsoring the Bobi Jones Medal - as the University is home to Learn Welsh Cardiff, where we sponsor lessons for both staff and students.”

And Head of Events at Cardiff University, Ali Carter, commented: “Our programme of events will involve leading academics in their fields and offers audiences the chance to hear about some of our important research, as well as the work we are doing to support young people from all backgrounds who choose to study with us.”

Full list of events:

• Datgelu Plastig: Professor Arwyn Tomos Jones of the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences will discuss the prevalence of microplastics in our environment. (Monday 30 May and Tuesday 31 May, 9am)
• The Brain Box: Academics at the School of Psychology will give people the chance to learn about the wonders of the human brain. (All week)
• Explore Cardiff University through virtual reality: Staff from the Widening Participation team will be on hand for any questions about what it’s like to study at the University. (Wednesday 1 June and Thursday 2 June, 9am-4pm)
• Esboniadur Gwyddorau Cymdeithasol quiz: Research student Adam Pierce and Dr Siôn Jones from the School of Social Sciences talk through their online educational resource, Esboniadur Gwyddorau Cymdeithasol (Social Science Glossary), a collection of concepts, theorists, theories, and ideological movements relating to the social sciences to support students studying through the medium of Welsh. (Thursday 2 June, 9am-4pm)
• C21 North Wales Medical Education: Staff and students from the School of Medicine talk about the opportunity to study medicine in North Wales, as well as giving people the chance to try out their clinical skills. (Friday 3 June, 9am and Saturday 4 June, 9am)
• Insta, YouTube a TikTok: Dyfodol Newyddion? Gwenfair Griffith of the School of Journalism, Media and Culture will host a talk exploring the way we consume news with former Cardiff University students Tomos Evans from S4C’s Newyddion programme and Eyitemi Smith of Twitter account Hansh Dim Sbin. (Friday 3 June, 2pm)

For a full programme of events, click here.