The sessions will be held every Monday evening, starting from Monday, 16 March. The sessions will be held in Welsh and are open to anyone interested in the history, politics, and culture of Wales.
The sessions will discuss historical and contemporary protests, considering how protest has influenced society and politics in Wales over the years.
The course brings together scholars from different fields to discuss the social, ethical, and legal aspects of protest.
Dr Cynog Prys, course coordinator, said:
“Wales has a rich history of protest and social action, from the Rebecca Riots to modern campaigns for the Welsh language and social justice. This course aims to explore that tradition in an interdisciplinary way, bringing together history, law, philosophy and sociology.
“We hope the course will not only shed light on protests of the past, but also encourage critical discussion about the role of protest in a democratic society today.
This course will be particularly relevant to those who wish to better understand the role of social movements, Welsh identity and democratic participation in society.â€
Each session will also connect historical discussion with contemporary contexts, encouraging critical reflection on the role of protest in modern democratic societies.
Please book the course here (note the sessions ar ein Welsh only): /courses/other-courses/protest-in-wales-an-interdisciplinary-perspective
Course Programme
Week 1 – Protest in Welsh Society: From the Rebecca Riots to the Beasley Family
Monday 16 March 2026 | 6.00–8.00pm
Riots and Protest in Welsh History – An overview of historical protest movements in Wales, highlighting their social and cultural impact, with a particular focus on the Rebecca Riots as a case study of rural protest.
Dr Lowri Rees, Senior Lecturer in History
Protest and the Welsh Language Movement – A sociological and cultural analysis of language activism, its strategies, and the Beasley family’s campaign for language rights.
Dr Cynog Prys and Dr Rhian Hodges, Senior Lecturers in Sociology and Social Policy
Week 2 – Law, Conscience and Protest Movements in Wales
Monday 23 March 2026 | 6.00–8.00pm
Protest and the Law – An exploration of the legal frameworks governing protest in Wales, including rights, restrictions and recent legislative developments.
Lois Nash, Lecturer in Law
The Welsh Conscience? From Capel Celyn to Palestine – This session explores how communities appeal to conscience when challenging political decisions, from the flooding of Capel Celyn to contemporary international solidarity movements.
Dr Gareth Evans-Jones, Lecturer in Philosophy and Religion
Location and Details
Venue: Drama Rehearsal Room, Main Arts Building, College Road, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DG
Dates: Monday 16 March and Monday 23 March 2026
Time: 6.00pm – 8.00pm
Course Language
The course will be delivered entirely in Welsh, and simultaneous translation will not be available.
