Introducing the four new Fellows elected to the Learned Society of Wales in 2024 who play leadership roles in the professional, educational and public sectors.
Dr. Aled Eirug FLSW
ChairColeg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol
As Head of News and Current Affairs for BBC Wales, Dr Eirug was the editorial head for coverage of UK and European elections and the 1997 Referendum across three media in both Welsh and English. He also formulated minority language policy for the BBC in Northern Ireland and, in the National Assembly for Wales, advised the Presiding Office on the separation of the Government from the parliamentary body.
As an academic, he led research into the peace movement in Wales and made a significant contribution to public life as chair of the Welsh Refugee Council and Coleg Cymraeg.
Professor Paul Mealor FLSW
Composer and Professor of Composition University of Aberdeen
Paul Mealor is one of the world’s most performed living composers. His two operas, four symphonies, music for film and television, over one-hundred published choral works and numerous compositions for ensemble have entered the repertoire and received multiple awards and honours. These include a BAFTA nomination (‘Wonders of the Celtic Deep’, BBC1 Wales TV natural history Series, 2022), a Brit Award (2012) and two Classic Brit Awards (2012, 2014) and The Saltire Society’s Fletcher of Saltoun Award for outstanding contribution to Arts and Humanities (2020).
His many commissions for Royal and national occasions include ‘Ubi caritas’ (2011) for the Wedding of TRH The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge; ‘Per Ardua ad Astra’ commissioned by HM’s Royal Air Force as the RAF’s first official hymn (2021); ‘I Shall Not Die, But Live’ for Scotland’s National Service of Thanksgiving for the life of HM Queen Elizabeth II (2022) sung by Karen Matheson in Gaelic at St Giles Cathedral; ‘A Welsh Prayer’ for the Welsh National Service of Thanksgiving for the life of HM Queen Elizabeth II (2022) sung at Llandaff Cathedral and two works for the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla (2023) performed at the Coronation, Westminster Abbey – Coronation Kyrie (sung by Sir Bryn Terfel) and Fanfare (performed by the Fanfare Band after the crowning of King Charles).
Dr. Eurwyn Wiliam FLSW
Emeritus KeeperNational Museum Wales
Dr Wiliam’s research concentrates on the homes and lives of the country poor in the past, to which little attention has previously been paid, and on historiography. He has promoted his results through academic publications and more widely through media including permanent museum displays. This has influenced national conservation policy and practice and has strengthened public understanding. He has also fostered multi-disciplinary research in two national institutions and enhanced their contributions to knowledge exchange and dissemination.
I consider being elected a Fellow of the Learned Society of Wales a great honour. Being counted amongst such distinguished company is something that I treasure highly, and I shall do my best to ensure that my work continues in some way to contribute to our knowledge of Wales and its place in the world.
Llŷr Williams FLSW
Pianist
Llŷr Williams is a a concert pianist with an extensive repertoire. He performs regularly at major venues internationally and within the UK and has a long associations with almost all the musical organisations and festivals in Wales. A former BBC New Generation Artist, he has performed with all the major UK orchestras.