Anastasia Llewellyn
@anastasiallewellyn.bsky.social
PhD candidate in political science and public policy, University of Ottawa. Studying the intersection of language and housing activism in Wales. Lecturer in translation, Concordia University. Usually somewhere between Odawa, Tiohtià:ke, and Caerdydd. 🏴
Pinned
Tan y tro nesa… Diolch yn fawr iawn i’r @walesgovernance.bsky.social am fod fy ail cartref trwy’r flwyddyn!
How’s my weekend? I met four cats, baked several varieties of cookies, sang my heart out to Handel’s “Messiah” (next to two others who also still sing masked!), and will now be heading to Ottawa’s only Welsh Service of Lessons and Carols, which also involves singing and cookies. Can’t complain!
December 7, 2025 at 3:34 PM
How’s my weekend? I met four cats, baked several varieties of cookies, sang my heart out to Handel’s “Messiah” (next to two others who also still sing masked!), and will now be heading to Ottawa’s only Welsh Service of Lessons and Carols, which also involves singing and cookies. Can’t complain!
Listening to BBC Radio, and a Labour MP commenting on the budget stated that “we are making sure that there will be reform.” I heard it as “we are making sure that there will be Reform.”
November 30, 2025 at 5:17 PM
Listening to BBC Radio, and a Labour MP commenting on the budget stated that “we are making sure that there will be reform.” I heard it as “we are making sure that there will be Reform.”
What policies actually do matters, and this is sometimes forgotten in the discourse surrounding their development. What is also often ignored is the fact that policies so frequently have unintended consequences—how often does a policy behave exactly as planned?
Something that is easy to forget in all the "Carney is a political genius / Carney is a political naif" argle bargle is that climate policies matter. Environmental regulations matter. Getting rid of them may or may not achieve a political end — but it's guaranteed to have real-world implications.
November 28, 2025 at 5:19 AM
What policies actually do matters, and this is sometimes forgotten in the discourse surrounding their development. What is also often ignored is the fact that policies so frequently have unintended consequences—how often does a policy behave exactly as planned?
As always, the @walesgovernance.bsky.social team offers a clear breakdown of what’s going on and how it affects Wales.
🚨 NEW: 'FROZEN 2': 🧊 Here's the Wales Fiscal Analysis team's first breakdown on what the 2025 Autumn Budget means for Wales
🚨NEWYDD: Beth mae Cyllideb y Hydref 2025 yn ei olygu i Gymru? Dyma ddadansoddiad cyntaf o'r newidiadau sydd ar y ffordd
blogs.cardiff.ac.uk/thinking-wal...
🚨NEWYDD: Beth mae Cyllideb y Hydref 2025 yn ei olygu i Gymru? Dyma ddadansoddiad cyntaf o'r newidiadau sydd ar y ffordd
blogs.cardiff.ac.uk/thinking-wal...
Frozen 2: Tax Freezes, the 2-Child Limit (and what the 2025 Autumn Budget means for Wales)
Showcasing current research, comments and analysis on the law, politics, history, culture, government and political economy of Wales from the Wales Governance Centre.
blogs.cardiff.ac.uk
November 27, 2025 at 2:42 PM
As always, the @walesgovernance.bsky.social team offers a clear breakdown of what’s going on and how it affects Wales.
I wonder how he describes himself? Coverage of David Szalay’s Booker Prize win is a great example of the fluidity of identity. Born in Montreal to a Canadian mother and a Hungarian father, raised mostly in England, now living in Austria. That’s a lot of layers of identity to navigate! (On left: CBC)
November 11, 2025 at 2:31 PM
I wonder how he describes himself? Coverage of David Szalay’s Booker Prize win is a great example of the fluidity of identity. Born in Montreal to a Canadian mother and a Hungarian father, raised mostly in England, now living in Austria. That’s a lot of layers of identity to navigate! (On left: CBC)
The BBC recently decided to end access to BBC Sounds abroad, and it is incredibly frustrating. I understand that some of it is a rights thing (e.g., when it comes to music), but what good reason is there to prevent me from listening to Welsh talk radio in Canada?
November 9, 2025 at 5:50 PM
The BBC recently decided to end access to BBC Sounds abroad, and it is incredibly frustrating. I understand that some of it is a rights thing (e.g., when it comes to music), but what good reason is there to prevent me from listening to Welsh talk radio in Canada?
Oh, no. Really hope Jac Morgan is okay. He’s such a bright light in Welsh rugby at the moment.
November 9, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Oh, no. Really hope Jac Morgan is okay. He’s such a bright light in Welsh rugby at the moment.
There is some very interesting discourse over on Instagram surrounding this issue, and others with the show. Some knitters are just happy to see our craft in the spotlight, but the emphasis on speed rather detracts from the value of knitting as slow fashion and as an art form.
The member of the Scottish parliament for Shetland has lodged a complaint in Holyrood over the depiction of fair isle knitting in the UK’s new competitive knitting show, which debuted this week with a controversial tank top challenge and steek-related dismissal.
November 7, 2025 at 7:53 PM
There is some very interesting discourse over on Instagram surrounding this issue, and others with the show. Some knitters are just happy to see our craft in the spotlight, but the emphasis on speed rather detracts from the value of knitting as slow fashion and as an art form.
Reposted by Anastasia Llewellyn
"Gwyn Alf Williams wrote “Labour’s old majorities stand like Aneurin Bevan’s memorial stones”, looking like the “Stonehenge of Welsh politics.” In Caerphilly, one of those stones has cracked; shifting political weather now threatens more monuments to Welsh Labour’s historic majorities." #Senedd26
New blog
Cracks in the Stonehenge of Welsh Politics: Caerphilly and Labour’s Future
Read @nyedavies.bsky.social on why the result in Caerphilly should act as a wake-up call to Welsh Labour, despite many in the party having warned against reading too much into the defeat
Read more: edin.ac/4949g0m
Cracks in the Stonehenge of Welsh Politics: Caerphilly and Labour’s Future
Read @nyedavies.bsky.social on why the result in Caerphilly should act as a wake-up call to Welsh Labour, despite many in the party having warned against reading too much into the defeat
Read more: edin.ac/4949g0m
November 5, 2025 at 4:39 PM
"Gwyn Alf Williams wrote “Labour’s old majorities stand like Aneurin Bevan’s memorial stones”, looking like the “Stonehenge of Welsh politics.” In Caerphilly, one of those stones has cracked; shifting political weather now threatens more monuments to Welsh Labour’s historic majorities." #Senedd26
As a knitter, a sometimes Reformation historian, and someone who has concerns about how AI is being deployed and used, I find this fascinating. The technology is here, and will be used one way or another—but it can be regulated, and appropriate training provided.
I think a lot about Elizabeth I refusing to grant a patent to knitting machines because of all the knitters it would unemploy. Planning around and accounting for this stuff so people don’t suffer isn’t a new problem.
www.interweave.com/article/knit...
www.interweave.com/article/knit...
November 3, 2025 at 2:28 PM
As a knitter, a sometimes Reformation historian, and someone who has concerns about how AI is being deployed and used, I find this fascinating. The technology is here, and will be used one way or another—but it can be regulated, and appropriate training provided.
Looking forward to chatting about the Welsh Bible and fieldwork in Wales this coming Sunday! It’s always fun to revisit my past research and travels.
My talk at the North American Festival of Wales about the Welsh Bible and the fun of doing fieldwork in Wales was a hit, and I’ll be reprising it virtually for the Great Plains Welsh Heritage Centre on Sunday 2 November at 1pm CT/2pm EST/7pm GMT. It’ll be fun!
October 31, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Looking forward to chatting about the Welsh Bible and fieldwork in Wales this coming Sunday! It’s always fun to revisit my past research and travels.
My talk at the North American Festival of Wales about the Welsh Bible and the fun of doing fieldwork in Wales was a hit, and I’ll be reprising it virtually for the Great Plains Welsh Heritage Centre on Sunday 2 November at 1pm CT/2pm EST/7pm GMT. It’ll be fun!
October 30, 2025 at 6:00 PM
My talk at the North American Festival of Wales about the Welsh Bible and the fun of doing fieldwork in Wales was a hit, and I’ll be reprising it virtually for the Great Plains Welsh Heritage Centre on Sunday 2 November at 1pm CT/2pm EST/7pm GMT. It’ll be fun!
Reposted by Anastasia Llewellyn
NEW: The UK Govt's Ministry of Justice begins routinely publishing Wales-only prison data for the first time following a decade of research exposing issues in the Welsh criminal justice system by Dr Robert Jones. 1/3
www.cardiff.ac.uk/news/view/29...
www.cardiff.ac.uk/news/view/29...
Release of Wales-only prison data will “enhance transparency and scrutiny of the Welsh criminal justice system”
Dr Robert Jones welcomes move by Ministry of Justice after years of campaigning
www.cardiff.ac.uk
September 29, 2025 at 3:34 PM
NEW: The UK Govt's Ministry of Justice begins routinely publishing Wales-only prison data for the first time following a decade of research exposing issues in the Welsh criminal justice system by Dr Robert Jones. 1/3
www.cardiff.ac.uk/news/view/29...
www.cardiff.ac.uk/news/view/29...
Reposted by Anastasia Llewellyn
Happy to confirm that our new Welsh politics pod is on the way filled with informative, astute, and what I would euphemistically refer to as “robust“ debate between Lee Waters MS, Prof Laura McAllister and former Conservative Special adviser Lauren McEvatt.
We’ll be ready to share soon! #Senedd26
We’ll be ready to share soon! #Senedd26
I know that there are a lot of Welsh politics folks out there missing the @hiraethpod.bsky.social while it is on hiatus.
While I would ofc point anyone needing a fix either to ‘For Wales, See Wales’ by the ever excellent Will Hayward and BBC Wales’s #WalesCast I’m happy to say that I have *news*
While I would ofc point anyone needing a fix either to ‘For Wales, See Wales’ by the ever excellent Will Hayward and BBC Wales’s #WalesCast I’m happy to say that I have *news*
September 27, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Happy to confirm that our new Welsh politics pod is on the way filled with informative, astute, and what I would euphemistically refer to as “robust“ debate between Lee Waters MS, Prof Laura McAllister and former Conservative Special adviser Lauren McEvatt.
We’ll be ready to share soon! #Senedd26
We’ll be ready to share soon! #Senedd26
Reposted by Anastasia Llewellyn
ER wait times are out of control, and patients avoid going as a result.
I wish we could make it a more comfortable setting
If you’re dealing with complex chronic illness, you can’t sit in a waiting room for 12+ hours without having your baseline shattered.
People will die at home without care
I wish we could make it a more comfortable setting
If you’re dealing with complex chronic illness, you can’t sit in a waiting room for 12+ hours without having your baseline shattered.
People will die at home without care
Anecdotally what I'm seeing a lot is patients either avoiding the emerg completely or leaving after several hrs of waiting.
Then they wait days or weeks to see me in the office, which is often not appropriate or safe.
Sometimes, I have to send them straight back to the emerg. This is really bad.
Then they wait days or weeks to see me in the office, which is often not appropriate or safe.
Sometimes, I have to send them straight back to the emerg. This is really bad.
Ontario ERs saw almost 300,000 walkouts in 2024, study shows
A new survey shows Ontario emergency room wait times were so bad that almost 300,000 patients gave up and left untreated in the last year.
toronto.citynews.ca
September 20, 2025 at 9:33 PM
ER wait times are out of control, and patients avoid going as a result.
I wish we could make it a more comfortable setting
If you’re dealing with complex chronic illness, you can’t sit in a waiting room for 12+ hours without having your baseline shattered.
People will die at home without care
I wish we could make it a more comfortable setting
If you’re dealing with complex chronic illness, you can’t sit in a waiting room for 12+ hours without having your baseline shattered.
People will die at home without care
Reposted by Anastasia Llewellyn
Yn gynnwys canlyniadau ein arolwg BARN #Cymru gyda @itvcymruwales.bsky.social a blog diweddaraf @jamesbreckwoldt.bsky.social sy'n drafod ble mae pleidleiswyr Llafur 2024 yn mynd.
Including our latest #Wales polling and James Breckwoldt's blog on where Labour's 2024 voters are going, and why. 👇
Including our latest #Wales polling and James Breckwoldt's blog on where Labour's 2024 voters are going, and why. 👇
Productivity downgrades are not everything, but they are almost everything: today's newsletter: www.ft.com/content/6567...
Labour’s strategy has been all pain, no gain
The government is incredibly unpopular and even its favoured policies have not shifted the dial
www.ft.com
September 17, 2025 at 9:45 AM
Yn gynnwys canlyniadau ein arolwg BARN #Cymru gyda @itvcymruwales.bsky.social a blog diweddaraf @jamesbreckwoldt.bsky.social sy'n drafod ble mae pleidleiswyr Llafur 2024 yn mynd.
Including our latest #Wales polling and James Breckwoldt's blog on where Labour's 2024 voters are going, and why. 👇
Including our latest #Wales polling and James Breckwoldt's blog on where Labour's 2024 voters are going, and why. 👇
Reposted by Anastasia Llewellyn
Latest ITV BarnCymru 🏴 poll confirms trend seen over last 6 months - neck and neck race between Plaid Cymru and Reform UK for largest party, with Labour falling to even more distant third. Evidence growing of distinct realignment in Wales 🧵
September 16, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Latest ITV BarnCymru 🏴 poll confirms trend seen over last 6 months - neck and neck race between Plaid Cymru and Reform UK for largest party, with Labour falling to even more distant third. Evidence growing of distinct realignment in Wales 🧵
Reposted by Anastasia Llewellyn
Robert Munsch, a beloved children’s book author, has been granted a medically assisted death under Canada’s #MAiD laws, though no date has been set. "I have to pick the moment when I can still ask for it."
nationalpost.com/news/canada/... via @nationalpost.bsky.social via @nationalpost.bsky.social
nationalpost.com/news/canada/... via @nationalpost.bsky.social via @nationalpost.bsky.social
Canadian icon Robert Munsch has chosen to die by MAID
Paper Bag Princess author made the choice after being diagnosed with dementia. "I have to pick the moment when I can still ask for it."
nationalpost.com
September 15, 2025 at 9:11 PM
Robert Munsch, a beloved children’s book author, has been granted a medically assisted death under Canada’s #MAiD laws, though no date has been set. "I have to pick the moment when I can still ask for it."
nationalpost.com/news/canada/... via @nationalpost.bsky.social via @nationalpost.bsky.social
nationalpost.com/news/canada/... via @nationalpost.bsky.social via @nationalpost.bsky.social
Reposted by Anastasia Llewellyn
Siaradodd @nyedavies.bsky.social â Nick Servini ar BBC Radio Wales y bore 'ma i drafod cystadleuaeth Dirprwy Arweinydd y Blaid Llafur:
Dr Nye Davies on Radio Wales this morning, discussing the competition for the role of UK Labour's Deputy Leader and its connection with a famous Welsh MP:
Dr Nye Davies on Radio Wales this morning, discussing the competition for the role of UK Labour's Deputy Leader and its connection with a famous Welsh MP:
September 10, 2025 at 12:10 PM
Siaradodd @nyedavies.bsky.social â Nick Servini ar BBC Radio Wales y bore 'ma i drafod cystadleuaeth Dirprwy Arweinydd y Blaid Llafur:
Dr Nye Davies on Radio Wales this morning, discussing the competition for the role of UK Labour's Deputy Leader and its connection with a famous Welsh MP:
Dr Nye Davies on Radio Wales this morning, discussing the competition for the role of UK Labour's Deputy Leader and its connection with a famous Welsh MP:
Shouldn’t have checked the news before going to bed…
September 10, 2025 at 5:55 AM
Shouldn’t have checked the news before going to bed…
Back at choir this evening. Despite the HEPA filter, it’s in a stuffy church basement, so I was pleased to see that I was not the only person singing in a mask.
It’s September. Pollen counts are low.
If you’re feeling sick, there’s a good chance it’s Covid. Not “allergies”. Not a “cold”.
Wear a mask. Take a test. Stay home if it’s at all possible.
Rest. There’s evidence to suggest that resting in the acute phase can reduce your risk of Long Covid.
If you’re feeling sick, there’s a good chance it’s Covid. Not “allergies”. Not a “cold”.
Wear a mask. Take a test. Stay home if it’s at all possible.
Rest. There’s evidence to suggest that resting in the acute phase can reduce your risk of Long Covid.
September 10, 2025 at 5:45 AM
Back at choir this evening. Despite the HEPA filter, it’s in a stuffy church basement, so I was pleased to see that I was not the only person singing in a mask.
Dyn ni’n ôl! Dw i’n mor diolchgar am yr opsiwn i gael dosbarth ar-lein. Ymlaen!
September 9, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Dyn ni’n ôl! Dw i’n mor diolchgar am yr opsiwn i gael dosbarth ar-lein. Ymlaen!
Thread about the threat of AI.
Dangerous thing about LLMs is not that they produce PhD level work. They don’t.
It’s that they produce junior researcher level work. Flawed but decent material you can work with.
So you ditch your farm team to save money. 10 years later your senior researcher bullpen is empty and you’re cooked 1/3
It’s that they produce junior researcher level work. Flawed but decent material you can work with.
So you ditch your farm team to save money. 10 years later your senior researcher bullpen is empty and you’re cooked 1/3
September 6, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Thread about the threat of AI.
I am sad to hear of the death of Montreal Canadiens legend and former MP Ken Dryden. I met him my first year of undergrad, and he seemed like someone who really cared about others, as well as being one of the best goaltenders ever.
September 6, 2025 at 3:12 PM
I am sad to hear of the death of Montreal Canadiens legend and former MP Ken Dryden. I met him my first year of undergrad, and he seemed like someone who really cared about others, as well as being one of the best goaltenders ever.
Reposted by Anastasia Llewellyn
@eggynewydd.bsky.social has done the leg work on this along with the @gwladrugby.bsky.social brains trust
It is an excellent survey and anybody interested in the future of the game in Wales should fill it in.
It is an excellent survey and anybody interested in the future of the game in Wales should fill it in.
From the author who brought you "Welsh Rugby What went wrong" in collaboration with other Welsh Rugby fans.
A survey by fans for the fans
s.surveyplanet.com/vdp8ehhe
A survey by fans for the fans
s.surveyplanet.com/vdp8ehhe
WRU One Wales Consultation Survey
The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) have recently [launched a consultation](https://ymlaencymru.com/consultation/) on their plans for the future of Welsh rugby.
[Mae'r arolwg hwn ar gael yn Gymraeg - yma](...
s.surveyplanet.com
September 4, 2025 at 7:14 PM
@eggynewydd.bsky.social has done the leg work on this along with the @gwladrugby.bsky.social brains trust
It is an excellent survey and anybody interested in the future of the game in Wales should fill it in.
It is an excellent survey and anybody interested in the future of the game in Wales should fill it in.