AN initiative to identify more women pundits appearing on the BBC is to be addressed tomorrow by BBC Scotland presenter, Jackie Bird.
Along with BBC Director, Scotland, Ken MacQuarrie and Natalie Humphreys, BBC Controller (factual prroduction), Bird will be speaking at Expert Women, at BBC Scotland’s Pacific Quay HQ in Glasgow.
Says a BBC Scotland media release: “Expert Women’s Day is a free introduction to the world of broadcasting for women at the top of the academic and business worlds. It is designed to boost the representation of female pundits and contributors in areas where women are sometimes under-represented in the media.
“The 24 expert women attending the event, who have been selected from a wide field of applicants, will all be specialists in fields identified by programme-makers as priorities: cultural commentary, history, art history and curating, science, natural history, GPs and medicine and sport.”
The statement continues: “The day will offer a range of practical broadcasting experience, including sessions on camera and in a radio studio; as well as masterclasses, discussion panels and networking with experienced programme-makers and industry leaders.”
Among the several other media people taking part in the day are BBC news reporter Aileen Clark, presenter Kaye Adams, executive producer Craig Hunter, commissioning editor Ewan Angus, head of BBC Radio Scotland Jeff Zycinski, managing director of Tern TV David Strachan, creative director Raise the Roof Sarah Walmsley, and managing director/founder Finestripe Productions Katie Lander.
The statement adds: “Events in London and Salford this year had more than 2,000 applications and trained over 90 expert women. Some 143 media appearances have been made by 41 ‘alumni’, on Sky One, Sky News, CNN and BBC News, Radio 4’s Today Programme and Woman’s Hour and more. There are further events scheduled in Northern Ireland (Belfast September 18) and Wales (Cardiff October 10).”
