A professor from Talysarn has been named a Dame in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

Elan Closs Stephens, emeritus professor of communications and creative industries at Aberystwyth University, has been awarded the honour for services to the Welsh Government and to broadcasting.

The current commissioner of the Electoral Commission for Wales and member of the BBC Board, Dame Closs Stephens specialises in cultural and broadcasting regulatory policy.

Her time at the university has seen her teach and support numerous students who have since had distinguished careers as writers, actors, directors, and programme commissioners.

She is also an advisory board member of Aberystwyth Arts Centre.

A first-language Welsh speaker from the Nantlle Valley, Dame Closs Stephens is a graduate of Somerville College, Oxford.

Speaking to the Cambrian News, Dame Closs Stephens said she was “delighted” but found keeping the honour a secret for almost a month “very difficult”.

“The best thing, apart from the honour of becoming a Dame, is the flood of messages from family, friends and local people,” she said.

“Some appreciate the Honours system and some do not, but they have all been equally kind and I appreciate that very much.

“I am truly glad to have been of service to our Welsh Government that is only 20 years new, and more than anything I am proud to have supported public service broadcasting at the BBC and at S4C.

“Public service broadcasting is under immense pressure and I am glad of this acknowledgement of its worth.

“It was a huge surprise [to find out about the honour] and it was very difficult for someone who is very sociable to keep a secret for almost a month.”

See this week’s Aberystwyth or Arfon/Dwyfor papers for the full story