Research collaboration
Dr Chris Groves and colleagues from Swansea University.
What would make a Better Bonymaen?
Poster by Artstation
Postcard by Artstation
Below: announcing the workshops to organisations
Summer Workshops for 8 participants - Supporting a Better Bonymaen 2025.
Dr Chris Groves and academic team work with Artist Glenn Davidson, Co Director Better Bonymaen.
Artstation and BBCIC collaborated with University of Swansea researchers, running workshops in late summer 2025 to explore various aspects of life in Bonymaen and to consider future improvements for the area.
The research is divided into themed areas of interest:
Housing
Law
Green Spaces
Food and Growing
Energy
Request:
You are recognised for your role and expertise within the organisation.
We request 50 words from you to be spoken and recorded by an actor, plus a slightly extended 100 words as a text for print.
The Statement should identify trends or recent developments in Welsh Government Policy, or generally across Wales, that open up the possibility of transformative change in relation to food and growing.
Programme:
Funded by the University of Swansea AHRC Impact Funding.
Order a free copy through Artstation
Chris Groves and Glenn Davidson wrote The Cement Run, with Chris Coppock as editor and Graham Lewis (Gwyrdd) handling layout and design for Better Bonymaen. This colour document was published and distributed at the research reporting event held at Swansea University on 19th March 2026, as described below. Its purpose was to make academic research more accessible and engaging for both non-specialist audiences and potential funders.
The voice of Vicky.
Wednesday, 09 July 2025
The community were asked seventeen questions through the research into their perception of their needs fifteen years into the future. The questions were physically posed by Vicky, formerly a member of the Manic Theatre Productions, now a professional actor. Vicky spoke into their ears and minds over wireless headphones. A mystical chime separated questions, focusing attention across different themes. Desirable future policies were sampled and read by Vicky from a range of public agencies; these perspectives helped set the trajectory of our conversations. Dr Chris Groves’ team from Swansea University worked with Better Bonymaen volunteers to circulate 1,500 postcards and posters (see above) to local households and organisations.
soundscapes and installation
Four compositions were created GD plotted some typical Bonymaen soundscape from morning through to evening. Soundscapes are interspersed between sections of voiced questions, immersing the listener in locations across Bonymean. Each soundscape conveys a different social texture, sense of time and place. This and use of the innovative Green Dream House installation helped conversations flow across themes of the research.
A comprehensive presentation of the research findings will be given to all stakeholders by a host of guests and dignitaries, including the research team at Swansea University in 2026 (see documentation event below).
