Richard Burton Centre Postgraduate Conference: Call for Papers

Richard Burton Centre Postgraduate Conference

New Research in Welsh Studies

Monday 2nd June, 2014

An opportunity for MA by research, M.Phil. and PhD students working on Wales to come together to discuss their research.

Call for Papers:

The Richard Burton Centre for the Study of Wales seeks paper proposals from postgraduate researchers (MA by research, M.Phil. and PhD) working in any discipline on subjects that concern or relate to Wales (literature/politics/history/Cymraeg).

Papers will be of 20 minutes’ duration and will be presented within a multi-disciplinary forum. Presenters should be aware that the audience will be interested, but not necessarily expert, in their own specific field of research. Some thought should therefore be given to exploring the context (theoretical, methodological etc) in which the research has been designed, in order to maximize points of contact and opportunities for comparison across subject areas and disciplines.

Papers might present an overview of the research project as a whole, or of one or more parts of it. The focus might be (for researchers in the early stages) on the research question and involve some speculation as to how best to resolve it. For researchers nearing completion it might be more appropriate to concentrate on outcomes and possibilities for further research beyond the qualification currently aimed at.

Please send proposals (no longer than one side of A4) for papers (in either Welsh or English) to Hannah Sams, PhD student, Academi Hywel Teifi, Swansea University: 527997@swansea.ac.uk

Closing date for proposals: 9^th May 2014

 

Canolfan Astudiaethau Cymreig Richard Burton

Ymchwil Newydd ym maes Astudiaethau Cymreig
Cynhadledd i Fyfyrwyr Ôl-raddedig Dydd Llun 2ail Mehefin, 2014

Galwad am Bapurau:Mae Canolfan Astudiaethau Cymreig Richard Burton yn galw am bapurau gan ymchwilwyr ôl-raddedig (MA trwy Ymchwil, M. Phil. a PhD) sydd yn gweithio mewn unrhyw ddisgyblaeth ar bynciau sy'n ymwneud â Chymru (llenyddiaeth/gwleidyddiaeth/hanes/Cymraeg).

Bydd y papurau yn para 20 munud, ac mi fyddant yn cael eu cyflwyno mewn fforwm rhyngddisgyblaethol. Ni fydd holl aelodau’r gynulleidfa felly yn gwbl hyddysg yn y gwahanol feysydd, a dylid rhoi peth sylw i gyd-destun damcaniaethol y gwaith er mwyn galluogi cysylltiadau rhwng meysydd gwahanol.

Gall y papur gynnig trosolwg o'r prosiect ymchwil yn ei gyfanrwydd, neu ganolbwyntio ar un neu fwy o rannau ohono. Gall fanylu ar un cwestiwn ymchwil gan archwilio’r dulliau mwyaf addas i ymwneud â’r cwestiwn hynny, neu edrych ar bosibiliadau ar gyfer ymchwil pellach.

Anfonwch gynigion (dim mwy na un ochr A4 o hyd) ar gyfer papurau (yn y Gymraeg neu’r Saesneg) at Hannah Sams, Myfyrwraig PhD, Academi Hywel Teifi, Prifysgol Abertawe: 527997@abertawe.ac.uk

Dyddiad cau: 9fed Mai 2014

Seminar Olaf Civic Nationalisms Final Seminar. March 31

‘The affective atmospheres of nationalism’

Dr Angharad Closs Stephens

Lecturer in Human Geography, Durham University

Author of The Persistence of Nationalism: from imagined communities to urban encounters (London, New York: Routledge, 2013) (http://www.routledge.com/books/details/9780415623452/)

  

Abstract

What would it mean to understand nationalism as an atmosphere? This presentation will examine how nationalism operates affectively and atmospherically through a discussion of the event of the London 2012 Olympic Games. More specifically, it will address the ‘happy atmospheres’ of being together that circulated in the course of those Games and ask how was it that so many people appeared to get swept along by nationalist discourses, affects and practices. I will point to different ways in which thinking about nationalism as an ‘affective atmosphere’ can build upon the notion of ‘everyday nationalism’ (Billig, 1995) and also take it further. For example, I will argue that the idea of an ‘affective atmosphere’ invites an attentiveness to the different tonalities and intensities of nationality. It also shifts the primary focus from a subject identity or bounded community to the question of how affective forces congeal around particular objects and bodies and echo as part of an assemblage. Overall, I will argue that addressing the nation’s affective, emotional and atmospheric resonances is critical for understanding how nationalism endures, and furthermore, how it appears especially difficult to critique. I also seek to make a contribution to broader debates around the relationship between affect, atmosphere and politics by asking how national affective atmospheres might be resisted and how we might recover alternative understandings of being with others.

Civic Nationalisms Seminar Series

The second half of the Richard Burton Centre Seminar Series on Civic Nationalisms has already began, with seminars looking at research into national movements (Luc Boeva from NISE) and history and national identity in Wales (Martin Johnes, Swansea). The programme for the remaining seminars is as follows:

10 March- Michael Kenny, Queen Mary, University of London
 'Englishness Resurgent- Implications for the Two Unions?'

17 March- Huw Williams, Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol
 'Un Genedl? Y Traddodiad "Sifig" Prydeinog yng Nghenedlaetholdeb Price a Mill'
(One Nation? The British "Civic" tradition in the nationalism of Richard Price and JS Mill)

31 March- Angharad Closs Stephens, Durham University
'Nationalism and the Question of Alternatives'


All seminars are held at 4pm in the Conference Room (B03) of the basement floor of the James Callaghan Building.

Croeso i bawb/All welcome.

Luc Boeva on Researching Nationalism

The Second Semester of the Richard Burton Centre Lecture Series Starts on Monday 3rd.

Richard Burton Centre Seminar

Monday 3 February, 4.00 pm

Arts and Humanities Conference Room, Basement Floor, Callaghan Building

“The story so far...as it goes?  The road to internationally concerted research of national movements” Professor Luc Boeva

Prof Boeva is coordinator for NISE (National Movements and Intermediary Structures in Europe). He was an archivist at the ADVN (the archives, documentation and research centre in Antwerp) and member of the editorial board of Wetenschappelijke tijdingen. He has published mainly on the theory of nationalism, on social aspects of the Flemish movement and on archival matters; currently his main field of interest is the territoriality of nationalism.

All welcome.

Enquiries:

daniel.g.williams@swansea.ac.uk

Seminar Canolfan Richard Burton

Dydd Llun 3 Chwefror, 4.00 pm

Ystafell Gynadledda'r Celfyddydau a'r Dyniaethau, Llawr Isaf, Adeilad Callaghan

“The story so far...as it goes?  The road to internationally concerted research of national movements” Professor Luc Boeva 

Yr Athro Boeva yw cydlynydd NISE (Symudiadau Cenedlaethol a Strwythurau Cyfryngol yn Ewrop). Roedd yn archifydd yn ADVN (canolfan archifau, dogfennau ac ymchwil yn Antwerp) ac yn aelod o fwrdd golygyddol Wetenschappelijke tijdingen. Y mae wedi cyhoeddi gwaith ar ddamcaniaeth cenedlaetholdeb yn bennaf, ar agweddau cymdeithasol mudiad Fflandrys ac ar faterion archifol; ar hyn o bryd ei brif faes o ddiddordeb yw tiriogaethedd cenedlaetholdeb.

Croeso i bawb.

Ymholiadau: 

daniel.g.williams@abertawe.ac.uk

The Future of Culture and Education

Richard Burton Centre Assembly DiscussionThe Future of Culture and Education

Sponsored by Rosemary Butler AM, Presiding Officer of the National Assembly for Wales

Siambr Hywel, National Assembly for Wales, Cardiff

Thursday 7 November 2013:  2pm - 3pm

Director of Swansea University's Richard Burton Centre for the Study of Wales, Prof Daniel G Williams, will be joined by Prof Dai Smith, Raymond Williams Chair at Swansea University, and Prof Stefan Collini of Cambridge University. They will discuss Professor Smith's recent Arts in Education Review: (http://wales.gov.uk/topics/educationandskills/publications/wagreviews/arts-in-education-review/?lang=en<http://wales.gov.uk/topics/educationandskills/publications/wagreviews/arts-in-education-review/?lang=en> ) and Prof Collini's widely admired and controversial commentaries on developments in higher education: (http://www.penguin.co.uk/nf/Book/BookDisplay/0,,9780141970370,00.html<http://www.penguin.co.uk/nf/Book/BookDisplay/0,,9780141970370,00.html> ).

The panel will be joined by Prof Kurt Heinzelman from the University of Texas, Austin, who will comment on the state and funding of the arts and humanities Universities in the United States. The purpose of the panel is to explore the role of the arts and humanities in education policy, in University education, and the kinds of policy options that exist as we aim to foster the informed citizens of a future Wales.

Do let us know if you would like to attend. Please contact RIAH, Swansea University at riah@swansea.ac.uk.  Feel free to forward this notice to any interested colleagues.

[This event will be in English]

Prifysgol AbertaweSefydliad Ymchwil y Celfyddydau a'r Dyniaethau
Sesiwn Drafod Canolfan Richard Burton

Dyfodol Diwylliant ac AddysgNoddwyd gan Rosemary Butler AC, Llywydd Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru

Siambr Hywel, Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru, CaerdyddDydd Iau 7 Tachwedd 2013:  2pm - 3pm

Bydd yr Athro Daniel G Williams, Cyfarwyddwr Canolfan Astudiaethau Cymreig Richard Burton, Prifysgol Abertawe, yn cadeirio sesiwn gyda'r Athro Dai Smith , Deiliad Cadair Raymond Williams ym Mhrifysgol Abertawe , a'r Athro Stefan Collini o Brifysgol Caergrawnt . Byddant yn trafod adroddiad diweddar yr Athro Smith ar y Celfyddydau mewn Addysg: http://wales.gov.uk/topics/educationandskills/publications/wagreviews/arts-in-education-review/?lang=en<http://wales.gov.uk/topics/educationandskills/publications/wagreviews/arts-in-education-review/?lang=en> )

 ac ysgrifau dadleuol yr Athro Collini ar ddatblygiadau mewn addysg uwch:

(http://www.penguin.co.uk/nf/Book/BookDisplay/0,,9780141970370,00.html <http://www.penguin.co.uk/nf/Book/BookDisplay/0,,9780141970370,00.html> ).

Bydd yr Athro Kurt Heinzelman o Brifysgol Texas , Austin, yn ymuno â'r panel gan gynnig golwg ar gyflwr y celfyddydau a'r dyniaethau yn yr Unol Daleithiau. Diben y panel yw edrych ar rôl y celfyddydau a'r dyniaethau mewn perthynas â pholisi addysg ac yn natblygiad addysg Brifysgol, a'r mathau o opsiynau polisi sydd ar gael wrth i ni geisio meithrin dinasyddion deallus Cymru'r dyfodol .

Rhowch wybod i ni os hoffech fynychu. Cysylltwch â RIAH, Prifysgol Abertawe ar riah@abertawe.ac.uk.   Mae pob croeso ichi anfon y manylion ymlaen at unrhyw gydweithwyr sydd â diddordeb.

[This event will be in English]

Richard Burton Centre Seminar Series

This year's seminar series will be approaching the increasingly relevant but ever contentious theme of Civic Nationalisms. The plural indicates the different ways of thinking about civic nationalism, moving beyond the simple binary of civic/ethnic nationalism. With a diverse range of speakers approaching this fascinatingly complicated topic from a variety of angles, it is sure to be a year full of engaging discussion and debate. The outline for semester one is as follows:

Hydref / October 21

Syd Morgan and Alan Sandry, European Institute of Identities, Swansea University

Civic Nationalisms in the Context of European Identities

 

 Tachwedd / November 4

Simon Brooks and Daniel G. Williams, Swansea University

Civic or Ethnic Nationalism? Yes please!

 

 Tachwedd / November 18

Robert Rhys, Prifysgol Abertawe

Iwerddon, Cymru, a Chenedlaetholdeb Diwylliannol: AE a DJ

[Cultural Nationalism in Ireland and Wales: AE and DJ. Delivered in Welsh with translations facilities]

 

 Rhagfyr / December 2

Peter Lynch, University of Sterling

Political Parties, Civic Society and the Independence Referendum in Scotland

 

Rhagfyr / December 9

Public lecture, hosted by Richard Burton Centre with the support of Learned Society of Wales

Professor Angela John
The Representation of Lady Rhondda: a Biographical Challenge
5.15: Reception and book launch
6.00: Lecture
James Callaghan Lecture Theatre, James Callaghan building.

 

Seminars will be held (unless stated otherwise) in the Arts and Humanities Conference Room, James Callaghan Building at 4pm. All welcome!

 

Constructing Identities and Changing Spaces in Wales Graduate Conference: Report

The complicated nature of identity and the significance of place in Wales was the focus for this interdisciplinary conference held at The Graduate Centre at Cardiff University on 24th June. The conference was lively and diverse, exploring art, literature, history and much more. The opening keynote lecture was delivered by Professor Damien Walford Davies of Aberystwyth University, who discussed ‘Archipelagic Cartographies’ in the work of Welsh-by-birth artist and writer Brenda Chamberlain. Davies’s proposed a reading of both literature and maps (termed ‘literary geography’) in Chamberlain’s work. The themes Davies introduced -belonging, alienation, identity, the importance of place – were important keywords that dominated the conference.

The first panel I opted for, ‘In-between Identities’, was literary in focus. Llyr Gwyn Lewis’s research (in Welsh) explores Celticity in the writings of Irish poet W. B. Yeats and Welsh-language poet T. Gwynn Jones. I am a great admirer of Yeats, but I was unaware of T. Gwynn Jones’s work. Llyr delivered a fascinating paper on the uncanny in Yeats and Jones, focusing on images of wandering and movement from place to place. Not only is this work an interesting comparative approach, it also brings something fresh to the vast amount of Yeats criticism out there. The second paper of the panel by Gwennan Elin Higham looked at the remarkable Kate Bosse-Griffiths (as a Welsh learner myself, I was both admiring and envious of Bosse-Griffiths’s ability to learn Welsh in just two years!). Bosse-Griffiths’s position in Wales was an interesting one, as she was both part of Welsh society yet marginalised due to her German roots. The last paper in this panel looked at the neglected husband and wife writing duo John and Emily Pearson Finnermore, and Michelle Deiniger’s paper explored the gendered themes in these two writers.

Cardiff University’s Professor Katie Gramich and Dr Tomos Owen held a workshop on gendered constructions of Wales and Welsh identity. Focusing on the figure of Dame Wales, Gramich first led us through the positive and negative aspects of this gendered construction of Wales, before Owen looked at issues of form and genre, taking the example of the male-dominated industrial novel as his starting point. It is in this tradition that the stereotypical ‘Welsh Mam’ flourished. This was a stimulating session, and prompted us to consider whether gendered constructions of Wales still have any relevance in today’s Wales.

Can we be Welsh and British at the same time? Recent census figures point to an increase in people feeling more ‘Welsh’ than ‘British’, but this may not necessarily be a new phenomenon. Martin Hanks’s paper explored feelings of national identity during the Second World War; it is often thought that, in times of trouble, we choose to be British rather than Welsh. Hanks’s paper revealed however, that there seemed to be a strengthening of Welsh cultural identity, while also recognising the need to defend their British national identity during wartime. Two papers explored Cardiff, though from very different angles- Beth Jenkins explored gender and civic/national identity in Cardiff, looking closely at the significant role women played in the construction of Welsh/British identity, while Simon Jenkins looked at the intersection of race and prostitution in Cardiff’s infamous Butetown area.

The last panel of the day, ‘Renegotiations of Identity’, proved to be an incredibly stimulating and relevant one, with three brilliant papers exploring contemporary Welsh Writing in English. Lisa Sheppard’s ‘Tony Bianchi: Cymro? Sais? Bryneichwr?’ explored Bianchi’s conflicted English-but-Welsh-speaking selfhood, and suggested that through the alternative identity of ‘Bryneichwr’, Bianchi could reconcile his fractured selfhood (though crucially, it is perhaps only in literature that this can be achieved). The second paper, presented by Emma Schofield, looked at post-devolution Welsh Writing in English, arguing that Cardiff was the focal point for many writers to reimagine Welsh civic identity. While all the papers were fantastic, one of the highlights for me was Robert Walton’s paper on masculinity in contemporary Welsh women writers. Walton suggested that the real reluctance in society to reimagine alternative masculinities was reflected in the works of Rachel Tresize, Deborah Kay Davies and Holly Howitt. It also worryingly continues the dark tradition of masculinity in Welsh literature. When it comes to men, we don’t seem to have come very far!

The conference ended with a spirited keynote by Kate North, novelist and poet, who talked us through her creative influences and gave us insights into the writing process (as someone who is unashamedly fascinated by writers, I thoroughly enjoyed this talk). This conference was well organised, and all involved delivered great papers. It is surely encouraging that postgraduate conferences of such high quality are occurring in Wales today- it just furthers my belief that it’s a very exciting time to be working in the field of Welsh studies.