Engaging Media Communications

With an increasing focus on your research having an impact beyond academia it is important for researchers to feel comfortable talking to the media. This in-person, full day workshop provides an exciting opportunity to get in-depth knowledge and practical media training from two experienced BBC producers and journalists, Claire Bolderson and Caroline Finnigan.

Up to five volunteers will also have the opportunity to be filmed being interviewed on their chosen subjects and constructively critiqued. At the end of the workshop you will have a better understanding of how to use mainstream and social media to gain a wider audience for your research.

The Trainers

Claire Bolderson is a news journalist and documentary maker with more than 25 years’ experience at the BBC. She was the presenter of Newshour on the World Service and The World Tonight on Radio 4. Claire began her broadcasting career in Indonesia as a correspondent for the BBC and Financial Times. She went on to be a BBC correspondent in Washington and has continued to report regularly from the US, from Africa, Europe, and Asia and the UK. Claire recently completed a part-time MSc in Social Policy and Social Research at UCL .

Caroline Finnigan is a media training consultant with over 20 years of experience as a programme maker and producer at the BBC, formerly working in BBC World Newsgathering where she covered breaking global news, developed story ideas into features and documentaries, and worked on a number of radio series for BBC World Service Radio. She specialized in conflict zones such as Pakistan and Afghanistan but has also travelled widely in the Middle East, America, Africa, Europe, China, India, and other parts of Asia. Caroline has continued to make documentaries for BBC radio, and to train BBC reporters and producers recruited in and working from their home countries.

The Workshop

The day is designed to be fun as well as instructive, and active participation will be encouraged. The day covers three main areas:

1. Finding your “story”

The first section will focus on finding and telling the story in your research clearly and effectively to a general audience. Participants will be guided through practical exercises and discussion of real-life examples. It will also cover how to make yourself known to journalists through your academic or other public profiles and through social media engagement.

2. Preparing for Interview

The importance of preparing thoroughly for interviews is discussed and techniques for delivering good performances – whether online, for radio or TV or newspapers – are analysed using real life examples.

3. Interviews (up to five people)

Up to five volunteers will be interviewed on camera and their performance critiqued by the group in a constructive and supportive feedback session. 

Those participants not being interviewed on camera will work on exercises designed to help them find clarity in language and presentation of their work, including through short radio interviews.

Refreshments

A light lunch and refreshments will be available.

Follow-up and feedback

This session provides an opportunity to view and give feedback on the recorded interviews, and discuss learnings from the morning session. The workshop ends with a Q and A session with the trainers.

Book your place

This session is open to researchers from the Social Sciences Division. 

To book your place on the course, please use the link below and note the following:

• On the day, please come prepared with three short sentences describing your research for a non-specialist audience.
• Participants are asked to bring their own device (laptop or tablet).
• Lunch and refreshments will be provided. Please notify us of any special dietary requirements.

Places at this workshop are limited and are fully subsidised by the University, making it free for participants. If you are unable to attend please cancel your place as soon as possible so that we can reallocate it to others on the waiting list. 

Book your place on the workshop