A day-long workshop on media engagement with two experienced former BBC journalists, Claire Bolderson and Caroline Finnigan. They will guide you through the process of refining your academic work into a story that is accessible to a wider audience.

How do you draw people in with hooks and angles? How do you tell your story without over-simplifying it? Through the day, practical exercises and examples will be used to help you get the best results. There will be plenty of interaction with the Trainers and each other.

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 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.  

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.

Lunch will be provided. Please note your dietary requirements during the booking process.

Please note, this visit requires a £20 deposit which will be refunded once you have attended the course, or have cancelled your place at least 72 hours before the course start date.