Experts share their insights on a wide range of topics for the National Eisteddfod

Visitors to this year's National Eisteddfod will hear from Cardiff University academics about their research and get the chance to take part in hands-on activities.

The week-long festival takes place this year in Parc Ynysangharad, Pontypridd, in Rhondda Cynon Taf (RCT), from 3 to 10 August.

Cardiff University’s stand will have a number of talks and interactive events during the week. Academics will also be at the Science Village Hut with a range of activities.

Highlights on the Maes include a talk by Professor Richard Wyn Jones, director of the Wales Governance Centre who, on the threshold of Plaid Cymru's 100th birthday, considers the differences and similarities between the Party and the national movement that preceded it, Cymru Fydd. He will also be taking part in a live podcast with Vaughan Roderick for BBC Radio Cymru.

Dr Dylan Foster Evans, head of the School of Welsh, will give the Bobi Jones lecture, discussing the history of the Welsh language in RCT. He will also give a talk about the ‘lost scholar’ Margaret Enid Griffiths from Ton Pentre, while exploring the Welsh culture of the Rhondda.

Dr Sian Edwards of the School of Modern Languages appears in the Societies Tent sharing the story of the Basque children who came to south Wales as refugees during the Spanish Civil war.

Also appearing at the Societies Tent will be Cate Correia Hopkins from the School of Journalism, Media and Culture, as part of a discussion on Artificial Intelligence and the world of work with TUC Cymru.

In their talk for the Cardiff University Centre for Welsh American Studies, Emeritus Professors E Wyn James and Bill Jones will focus on the lives and contributions of Aaron Jenkins, 'the saviour of the Welsh Settlement in Patagonia', and Margaret E. Roberts, campaigner for women's rights.

The Societies Tent will host Dr Elen Ifan of the School of Welsh and Dr Joe O'Connell from the School of Music, who will present their research findings from their project exploring links between Welsh language music and the Māori punk scene.

At the Cardiff University stand, the School of Journalism, Media and Culture will be fielding panel talks and discussions with Welsh journalists.

Medical students will be on hand to take blood pressure readings under the guidance of clinicians, advising on the results. And future students can find out more about a range of courses, as well as the support on offer.

The Cardiff University Science Village Hut will be showing insights into cancer research and strides in the use of chemistry to produce energy.

Dean for the Welsh Language Dr Huw Williams, who will himself be giving a lecture on the 18^th century philosopher and radical Richard Price at the Societies tent,  said: “This year’s Eisteddfod, just a short distance from our campus in Pontypridd, is sure to be an exciting one. We have a huge variety of talks taking place, covering a range of academic disciplines from leaders in their respective fields.

University staff members, including Awen Iorwerth from the School of Medicine, and Dr Siwan Rosser, from the School of Welsh, are being honoured this year for their outstanding contribution to Wales, the Welsh language, and their local communities. Gorsedd Investiture ceremonies will be held in the morning of both Monday 5 August and Friday 9 August and anyone with a ticket to the ‘maes’ can go to watch.

To find out more about Cardiff University’s events click here.