UNIVERSITY NEWS LAST UPDATED : 14 APRIL 2021
Leading media diversity champion Marcus Ryder MBE has secured a new role at Birmingham City University to examine representation across the UK’s media.
Mr Ryder has been named as Head of External Consultancies, at the University’s Sir Lenny Henry Centre for Media Diversity, which was set up to look into diversity across the industry including journalism, acting, film, TV and radio in both front-of-house and behind the scenes roles.
The new role will see the award-winner work alongside academics and industry leaders to explore how the UK’s media reflects its population and to champion better representation across all sectors.
Mr Ryder has spent over 25 years working in the media and has led major campaigns challenging government and industry to increase representation in the media.
He has championed the need for greater visibility and opportunities for women, ethnic minorities and disabled people working in the film and television industry and has given evidence to the House of Lords on how to increase diversity in broadcast media.
Speaking about his appointment to the new role, Marcus Ryder said: “I am both honoured and excited to take up the position of Head of External Consultancies at the Sir Lenny Henry Centre for Media Diversity.
“I look forward to building on our successes and working with practitioners and academics to make our industry a more representative and welcoming place for everyone working in front and behind the camera. Recent events and industry statistics prove there is a lot of work that still needs to be done - that work can only be done through clear academic research and evidence based policies, I look forward to playing my part in making sure that happens.”
Mr Ryder will officially take up his role on Monday 10 May and will work with University academics and industry leaders to drive the case for increased diversity in the media.
The news bolsters the work of the Sir Lenny Henry Centre for Media Diversity, which was officially launched in March last year (2020).
Welcoming Marcus Ryder to his new position Sir Lenny Henry, Chancellor of Birmingham City University, said: “Marcus was instrumental in setting up the Sir Lenny Henry Centre for Media Diversity and I am very excited about him joining the Centre full time.
“He is one of the most respected individuals in the field of media diversity in the UK and I believe it is an appointment that is instrumental if we want to bring real change to the media industry."
Professor Diane Kemp, Director of the Sir Lenny Henry Centre for Media Diversity, said: “Marcus is one of the co-founders of the Sir Lenny Henry Centre and has been involved with us since our launch last year.
“He is hugely influential in the field of media diversity and is considered by many to be one of its foremost strategists. We're delighted he's going to be working on the issue full time from May 10.
“I think this is a significant appointment not just for us at the Centre, but also for anyone concerned to see an improvement in media representation in the UK.”