University News Last updated 08 September 2016
A third year media student will this weekend see his ambition realised when the Community Media Association’s annual conference and inaugural Community Radio Awards come to Parkside.
The event, which takes place on Saturday 10 September at Birmingham City University’s multi-million pound City Centre Campus, was inspired by third-year BA (Hons) Media and Communication (Radio) student Jack Hogan. The day has been coordinated by Birmingham School of Media staff members Neil Hollins, Lecturer in Radio Production, and Siobhan Stevenson, Lecturer in Radio Studies and Professional Development.
As part of the day, the Community Media Association will hold its annual conference between 10am and 5.30pm, with over 160 delegates. The conference will be followed by the first ever Community Radio Awards between 6 and 10pm. Jack Hogan said:
The Community Media Conference 2016 will feature a range of speakers from organisations including the BBC, Sound Women, Arts Council, Ofcom, The British Library and key figures from the community media sector.
A team of students
Jack will be leading a team of students, who will capture the highlights of the conference by producing multimedia content for the Community Media Association’s website, which will document the day whilst promoting next year’s event. Neil Hollins, former Station Manager at Switch Radio, a community station in Birmingham said:
“Community radio makes a huge contribution to the diversity of the media and is a crucial destination for our media students seeking work placements. Having worked in the sector before joining Birmingham City University, I am delighted that Birmingham School of Media is able to support the conference and invest in the development of this very important part of the industry”.
Siobhan Stevenson added: “Hosting this event is important not only for the students and the sector, but also for others in the School researching community media and my own PhD research which focuses on community radio. The School of Media is committed to supporting local grass roots media organisations that open their doors to our students.”
“The first of its kind”
The Community Radio Awards ceremony, which will follow the conference, is the first of its kind within the community media sector, with a drinks reception sponsored by music royalty bodies PRS and PPL. The ceremony takes place at one of The Parkside Building’s exhibition spaces ‘The Shell’, where winners from the 250 award entries will be announced.
For further information on the event and purchasing a ticket, visit the Community Media Association website.