A pioneering scheme New Generation Thinkers 2018 from the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) aims to develop a new generation of academics who can bring the best of university research and scholarly ideas to a broad audience through working with the media, and offers a chance for early career researchers to cultivate the skills to communicate their research findings to those outside the academic community.
AHRC writes:
Each year, up to 60 successful applicants have a chance to develop their media skills, including programme-making ideas with experienced BBC producers at a series of dedicated workshops. Of these up to ten will become BBC Radio 3’s resident New Generation Thinkers and benefit from a unique opportunity to develop their own programmes for the station and a chance to regularly appear on air. There will also be the possibility of working with BBC TV, a number of speak opportunities and the chance to become a regular blogger.
BBC Radio 3 and its programmes Free Thinking, the Verb, the Essay and the Sunday Feature have provided a platform for debate and commentary from scholars across the world. You can listen to current New Generation Thinkers delivering Free Thinking Essays online now. You could eventually join them on air.
A short film has been produced which follows the journey of NGT applicants. This short film includes useful tips and advice from successful NGT finalists including what to expect from the BBC-led workshops: New Generation Thinkers Film.
The aim of the scheme is to provide a development opportunity for early career researchers to cultivate the skills to communicate their research findings to those outside the academic community. The scheme wants to find the new generation of academics who can bring the best of the latest university research and scholarly ideas to a broad audience.
Applications should demonstrate an engaging and stimulating programme but also demonstrate an ability to talk about other subjects areas within the arts and humanities in an accessible and refreshing manner, with awareness of the wider listening audience.
We would recommend that you listen to the 2017 winners’ programmes on BBC iPlayer Radio and read both the Call Guidance (PDF, 233KB) and Conditions of Entry (PDF, 108KB).
