Aberystwyth University Welsh Language Award Winners 2025-26

Aberystwyth University has honoured individuals for their contribution to the Welsh language.

At an awards ceremony held on Thursday 5 March, the winners of the Aberystwyth University Welsh Language Awards for 2025-26 were announced after they were nominated by the University's staff and students.

As learners and first-language Welsh speakers, students and staff, the winners were awarded for the following categories:

Exceptional Learner (Staff) – Moyra Morris
Promoting Welsh in the Workplace – Huw Roberts
Studying through the medium of Welsh – Holly Purdey
Welsh Language Champion (Student) – Sioned Walters
Supporting Welsh in the Workplace – Donia Richards a Glesni Davies, Academic Registry

Prof. Havel Davey, Assistant Faculty Pro-Vice Chancellor (AFPVC) of the Faculty of Science for Education and Student Experience was also awarded the Panel's Special Award for her work promoting the Welsh language and culture at the University.

Each winner received a personal englyn from either Professor Mererid Hopwood, Dr Eurig Salisbury, (Lecturer in Creative Writing, at the Department of Welsh and Celtic Studies at the University) or Dr Hywel Griffiths, (Reader at the Department of Geography and Earth Sciences).

Congratulating the winners, Dr Gwawr Taylor, University Secretary and Director of Welsh Language said: ''Today is an opportunity to congratulate and celebrate the dedication of individuals who have made a very important contribution to the Welsh language at the University. We congratulate and thank them for all their continued enthusiasm and perseverance."

The Winners

Moyra Morris (Exceptional Learner): Born in Belfast, Moyra moved to Wales to attend University in Aberystwyth in the 1980s and settled in the area. She started learning Welsh with her children when they were attending Mynach Primary School in Devil's Bridge. During her career as a teacher, she taught Welsh as a second language to primary children before retiring and starting to work at the University in Aberystwyth supporting autistic students with the Student Support department. Having worked at the University for five years, Moyra has continued to develop her Welsh language skills and currently attends two classes on a regular basis, a Work Welsh Class and an evening class in Devil's Bridge. Living in the Cwmystwyth area in a Welsh community, she likes to chat in Welsh to neighbours and at work with staff and students. She volunteers with the Well community project in Aberystwyth and enjoys reading novels and listening to podcasts in Welsh.

Huw Roberts (Promoting Welsh in the Workplace): Born in Aberystwyth, following a successful 18 year career with the BBC, Huw and his family returned to the area to design and open Gwesty Cymru in 2007. He ran the popular Hotel and Restaurant in Aberystwyth for thirteen years gaining local, national and international recognition for contributions to hospitality, tourism and the Welsh language. After a period working with Natural Resources Wales reopening the Tourist Information Centre at Ynys Las, Huw joined the University in 2021. He is an Assistant Residence Property Manager ensuring that the University’s residential buildings are safe, compliant and provide a comfortable home from home for students. Huw is passionate about the Welsh language and takes every opportunity to promote, encourage its use and raise awareness among colleagues, students and visitors to the University.

Holly Purdey (Studying through the medium of Welsh): Holly is a student in the Department of Welsh and Celtic Studies. Born in the Hastings area, she grew up in a non-Welsh speaking household. She had no connection with Wales during her childhood but had a keen interest in languages. She decided to attend Aberystwyth University to study Celtic Studies and learn Welsh and Irish. Following the completion of her degree course, Holly is considering further study and a career in translation or teaching.

Sioned Walters (Welsh Language Champion): Sioned is currently studying a Joint Honours Degree in Psychology and Criminology at Aberystwyth University. Originally from the Llandysul area, she grew up in a Welsh speaking household and attended Ysgol Penboyr, Drefach and then Ysgol Bro Teifi. The Welsh language is very important to Sioned, and she is very active in promoting the language. She currently is the Welsh medium representative in the Department of Psychology and is part of the Peer guide Scheme which supports first year students. After graduating, Sioned is considering studying a master’s with the Department of Psychology and pursuing a career as an Educational Psychologist.

Donia Richards and Glesni Davies Office Team (Supporting the Welsh Language): Donia Richards and Glesni Davies work as Academic Officers for the Academic Registry at the University and until recently had worked at the International Politics Building for twenty-five years providing administrative support through the medium of Welsh to the Department and the Department of History and Welsh History. They now work in the Student Hub in the Edward Llwyd Building on the University campus. The Welsh language is very important to both Donia and Glesni and they promote and encourage colleagues and students to use Welsh in every possible way.

Professor Hazel Davey (The Panel’s Special Award): Raised in Fillongley, near Coventry, Warwickshire in a non-Welsh speaking household, Hazel went on holiday to Aberystwyth and decided to study at the University in the town. She graduated in Zoology and Microbiology and after completing a PhD, she began working as a researcher at the University before being appointed as a lecturer in 2010. Hazel is now a Professor and Assistant Faculty Pro-Vice Chancellor (AFPVC) of the Faculty of Science for Education and Student Experience. She began learning Welsh in 1993 attending evening classes and later courses at Nant Gwrtheyrn as well as receiving key support from colleagues to converse and support her with Welsh. Throughout her time at the University, she has been dedicated to promoting and creating opportunities through the medium of Welsh including Welsh medium study opportunities for students.

Certificate of Special Recognition

In addition to the above award winners, the adjudicating panel presented a Certificate of Special Recognition to students Séamus Fennell, Department of Welsh and Celtic Studies; Tom Ansell, Theatre, Film & Television Studies; Stefan Bridle, Department of Modern Languages & Department of International Politics; Nel Jones, Department of International Politics and Department of History and Welsh History; Maddie Malpas, Department of Computer Science and to staff members Dr Tristan Webb, Department of Law and Criminology and Betty Wile, Healthcare Education Centre for their commitment to the Welsh language.