Love for Poetry and Wales draws Alier to UWTSD

A deep love for poetry, philosophy, and the landscape and culture of Wales has culminated in a day of celebration for 21-year-old Alier Collins, who today graduates with a BA in Creative Writing and Philosophy from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD), Lampeter. 

Alier also receives the prestigious Anthony Dyson Prize in English, recognising her outstanding academic and creative achievements.

Alier, who is from Berkshire, has been writing poetry since the age of six and says her choice to study at UWTSD was inspired by the university’s unique academic community, the block learning system, and the beauty of Wales.

Alier says.  “I have always loved Wales, and used to camp here a lot with my family, becoming fascinated by the country and its history, myth and legend”. 

The reason that Alier chose to study at UWTSD was to expand her knowledge and improve her writing. “Personally, I was aiming to gain some confidence in my ability as a writer, and the course and wonderful staff have ultimately helped me succeed in that goal”, she said,  adding, “I was also hoping to explore the Welsh language and culture in order to push myself and my thinking about creativity in new and different directions”.

Alier’s time at UWTSD has been marked by personal growth, resilience, and creative exploration. Reflecting on the course, she praised the university’s small, supportive classes, the dedication of the teaching staff, and the engaging assessment methods – including portfolios, performances and presentations.

During the course Alier completed a few projects which she said have been important to her both personally and professionally.

“My dissertation: ‘will we have a cup of tea when we get there?’ was a poetic exploration of grief, new and old, in a contemporary confessional style”, Alier says.  The project took on added emotional weight after two unexpected bereavements during its development – a challenge Alier faced with the support of the university’s wellbeing team, lecturers, and dissertation supervisor.  “I was encouraged and supported in ways that allowed me to push the project further than I thought possible,” says Alier.

Among her many achievements of which Alier is particularly proud is having an article published in the Land Rover Series II Club magazine, Built 2 Last. Featured in the Summer 2024 issue, the piece — titled “It’s A Dishwasher Not A Parts Washer” — explored a Land Rover restoration project and was, according to Alier, “brilliant fun to put together.”  Also having a poem from her dissertation published in Nottingham’s Bluebird Anthology called “What I Wish You Knew”  has also been a stand-out moment.

Alier is full of praise for the degree programme and says that the teaching staff clearly put effort and time into developing the course, and which opened doors to unexpected opportunities which included joining in with lots of local poetry events in Lampeter, Carmarthen and Aberystwyth and making connections with local writers and share her work at such events as Cerddi y Cwrw and the Dylan Thomas Summer School.

“I have my lecturers to thank for this, particularly. So thank you Tristan Nash, Rebekah Humphreys, Sarah Reynolds, Matt Jarvis and Dom Williams”, she commented.  “The course has helped me to improve my academic and creative work, even getting it to a publishable level”. 

Philosophy lecturer, Tristan Nash added: “Alier is an exceptionally diligent student. She had consistently worked hard throughout her degree and has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to developing her craft”.

Looking to the future, Alier is preparing to begin a PGCE in Secondary English at Oxford University, with hopes of continuing to learn Welsh and eventually returning to Wales to teach and write.

Further Information

Eleri Beynon

Head
Corporate Communications and PR
Email: e.beynon@uwtsd.ac.uk
Phone: 01267 676790