Peter, and others,
I know this comment will be taken badly by some, but it is meant seriously
(well, slightly!).
As one who has spent the last 22 years in the mining industry, I appreciate
and understand the fascination that people have for it - in particular for
the evocative South Wales valleys and their collieries (I studied and, after
a long African interlude, worked in Cardiff for a total of 10 years).
However, the academic world does occasionally need to remind itself of
reality before it goes public with its pronouncements. I particularly liked
the following:
"The University of Glamorgan, situated at the heart of the South Wales
coalfield, will be an ideal place to examine questions regarding the
distinctiveness of coalfield societies, the similarities that unite
coalfields otherwise separated by time and space, and the differences that
mark them out from one another.
Thus, both the singularity and the plurality of the coalfield experience
will be emphasised."
Is that academic-speak for a boys night out in Pontypridd? Saturdays are
particularly scary.
I liked this bit also:
"It wants to shed some light on the interface between community, identity
and organisation as well as problematise the solidarities and fissures
within and between them."
Is "problematise" a real word?? And if so, why?
As I recall, the Uni of Glamorgan is the old Treforest Poly with a new
nameplate. Looks like it's still maintaining the highest academic
traditions...
Martin Potts
(and for my sins, C. Eng and an MSc from the Royal School of Mines)
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