Elinor Goodman, Joan Bakewell and Jon Snow were just some of the celebrity guest speakers on campus in autumn semester 2005 - No. 13 Film & ...
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
No. 13 Film & Media Graduate Newsletter Winter 2005/06
Elinor Goodman, Joan
Bakewell and Jon Snow were
just some of the celebrity
guest speakers on campus
in autumn semester 2005...
NEW HEAD OF DEPARTMENT NEW PROFESSOR
...contd from page 1 Departmental
Claire Berrie, Michael Carpenter, Thompson, Christian Wulff John Izod has taken over as HoD from Raymond Boyle has been
Claire Curruthers, Lindsay Dineen, Gillian Doyle for three years. John was appointed to a personal Chair.
BA in F&M
Joana Dowling, Elaine Duffy, Iain the Department’s first head in the 1980s.
Lynne Holness, Hind Khogali,
News
Fulton, Paul Gilmour, Ewen Glass, Andrina MacLellan, Fiona McVean
Elinor Goodman, recently retired political editor of Channel Joanne Goldsmith, Angela Gorton,
4 News, delivered the 2005 Hetherington Memorial Lecture Alan Holbein, Nicholas Howes, NEW RESEARCH PROJECT
entitled ‘Mutual Destruction? Politicians and the media’. David Inglis, Liam Kelly, Emma
Broadcaster and columnist Joan Bakewell CBE gave a
PUBLIC RELATIONS An AHRC-funded research project, Creativity: policy and practice. A
Louise MacDonald, Ruth McClure, Study of Government, the BBC and the UK Film Council‚ starts in
press conference for journalism students and attended an Janieann McCracken, Karen January 2006. Philip Schlesinger is principal investigator of the
undergraduate seminar on The Western. And an ‘Audience Full-time
Munro, Joanne Parkinson, Daniel £158,000 project, which runs for three years. Pille Petersoo, who has NEW PhDs NEW UNDERGRADUATE
with Jon Snow’ packed out the Pathfoot Lecture Theatre MSc Omotayo Afolayan,
Rawling, Michelle Rea, Laura a PhD in Sociology from Edinburgh University, joins us as Roy Gill: Stalking the Fan: locating MODULES
Sharifah Fatimah Syed Ahmad,
for our best-known honorary professor. With Michael Shields, Katy Smythe, Johanna postdoctoral research assistant. Lynne Hibberd, appointed to the fandom in modern life (formerly known as Units)
Joanna Barker, Nicolette de
Portillo and award-winning journalist Robert Fisk also Sorrentino, Luke Thobani-Hacker, Beer, Konstantinos Drimalas,
linked PhD studentship (valued at £46k), will research the Scottish
Shane Kirby: Selling the Good Online Journalism (Jairo
on campus (courtesy of the Politics Department), it was Lucy Whitlam dimension of creativity policy and practice.
Fiona Finch, Elli Gardiki, Gloria Friday Agreement: developments Lugo), Journalism and the
a particularly lively and colourful season for all of us Buckman, Gayle Howard, Maria in party political public relations Literature of Reality (Jenny
students of the media. F&M/Environmental Iliopoulou, Theodora Kappou, Li and the media in Northern Ireland McKay)
Science Yi, Liu Jie, Sara Luna, Eleanor The late Alastair Hetherington, former Guardian editor and
Speaking of colour, I hope you’re appreciating the different Christopher Murray, Caroline Marshall, Kolbeinn Marteinsson, first professor of media research in the Department, was one
look to this edition as compared with its predecessors. Stewart Aikaterini Mouzouraki, Jiyoung of 40 journalists inducted into the Newspaper Hall of Fame. NEW BOOKS
Yes, it’s been upgraded from mere duotone, in time to
Oh, Ian Perks, Maria Pineiro,
welcome a bright constellation of new colleagues even F&M/French Kenneth Rae, Sohie Son, Karin
Richard Haynes: Media Rights and Intellectual Property (Edinburgh
as we bid farewell to other stars shooting off elsewhere. Martyn Burrow, Kelly Mauchlen University Press)
Tangstedt, Foteini Tsavdari, Inge SMRI VISITORS
Otherwise, the format remains as before: departmental van Langelaar, Wang Hsin Lin, In June 2005 members of the Jenny McKay: The Magazines Handbook (Routledge, 2nd revised ed.)
F&M/History Radio Raploch Group, Stirling, Prof Mark de Costa Alleyne,
news at the front, graduate news from page 6 onwards, Laura Watters, Ernest Yankson Leslie Mitchell: Freelancing for Television and Radio (Routledge)
Craig Bunyan, Carol Cooke visited the Department and Georgia State University;
both of which I hope you find of interest. Diploma Kendra Foley, were given a tour of the Jaime Alonso, University of
Thanks to all who contributed to this year’s newsletter. F&M/Japanese Studies Angeliki Georga, Jennifer
production facilities. Suzy Murcia; Elena Guitérrez, The Global Media Monitoring Project took place again in over 100
Kathryn Wortley Reynolds
Just keep those emails coming in 2006. We depend on Angus, Mike McDonald and University of Navarra; countries in February 2005 involving a one-day analysis of how women
them. F&M/Marketing Online Helen Hallier demonstrated Miriam van de Kamp, appear in news narratives worldwide. Maggie Magor was Scotland
Pamela Bell, Alexander Black, MSc Novaline Brewster, audio equipment and helped the Erasmus University, coordinator and headed a team from the Stirling Media Research
Steven Duff, Susanne McDonald, Elizabeth Hoyle, Kathy Maher, visitors try their hand at Rotterdam; Prof Knut Lundby, Institute (Claudia Monteiro, Jacquie L’Etang and Magda Pieczka). For
Peter Meech, Editor Nick Manton, Mary Mowat, Rian interviewing and recording. The University of Oslo.
Ewan Muir, Sarah Ormerod, Maria details of the research findings see www.wacc.org.uk.
Department of Film & Media Studies Rotz, Helen Sommerville, Cathy group, part of the Raploch
Schuller, Andreas Sommerseth,
University of Stirling Alistair Thomson, Craig Vallance, Yim Regeneration Project, is
Stirling FK9 4LA Colin Young Diploma Christina Korai preparing a bid to secure
In July the Department’s house band, The Distractions, entertained
Scotland funding for a web-based PRIZES
F&M/Philosophy Certificate Lilian Lemus 1000 students at the University’s 2005 Final Fling, when they
01786-467526 community radio station. T.A.Dunn Prize for best overall
Castillo supported Radio One DJ Colin Murray.
Michael McIlhone, Ross Film & Media Studies student:
p.h.meech@stir.ac.uk Distance Learning
McKenzie, Claire Pridham Johanna Sorrentino. Speakeasy
www.fms.stir.ac.uk/intelligencer MSc Dinah Dede Gogo Productions Prize for best
F&M/Politics UNDERGRADUATE SUCCESSES
undergraduate dissertation: Eve
Julie Lynne Harper, Robin Third-year Journalism Studies student Claire Fuller is the recipient of the 2005-06 Duke of Edinburgh Award Forrest and Carol Joanne Cooke.
Johnston, James Killah, Claire
Marshall
MEDIA MANAGEMENT (Scotland) student journalism bursary. Fourth-year Film & Media Studies/Marketing student Jason Andrews Content is King Prize for best
Class of 2005
Gomes, David Gray, Gemma was named Forth Valley Shell STEP Most Enterprising Student of the Year 2005. undergraduate film: Islay
Harper, Bethany Hourston, Roberts, Jen Russell, Lynsey
Andrew Kerr, Rachael MacKay, F&M/Psychology Full-time
Nicola Brackenbridge, Madeleine Smith, Calum Stewart, Dan
FILM & MEDIA STUDIES Annette MacPhail, Kevin MSc Vivian Anthony, Chen Thomson, Gemma Thurston. Sam
McCarvel, Lorna McDonald, Brooke, Jennifer Hughes, Eilidh DEPARTMENTAL PHOTO (June 2005)
Fang-Yu, Evi Dekoulou, Dimitrios Black Prize for best MSc PR
Kathleen McIlwee, Francesca Struthers Back row (L to R): Magda Pieczka,
Single Honours Frastanlis, Christina Hegele, Pedro Nunes, Myra Macdonald, Mark student: Ann Turner. Speakeasy
Nicholas Armstrong, Eilidh Menoni, Gareth Montgomery, F&M/Religious Studies Maria Klaoudatou, Lee Yi Fang, Brownrigg, Neil Blain (external Productions Prize for best
Barbour, Gillian Barclay, Hannah Lynn Morrison, Caroline Murphy, Melanie Delannoy Luo Yi, Qiu Yuanyuan, Shen examiner), John Izod, Simon Frith. masters dissertation: Edwin Tan
Bardell, Marie-Louise Bate, Sara Nicholls, Michael Nisbet, Jill Xiao, Sandeep Sood, Rajesh
Middle row: Kevin Williams (external
(Media Management).
Katie Bease, Stacey Blevins, Prentice, Martin Sandison, Linsey F&M/Sociology Tahilramani, Tian Hong, Bodo
examiner), Billy Crosgray, Raymond
Boyle, Peter Meech, Richard Kilborn,
Smith, Lynsey Ann Smith, Rebecca Louise Dickson, Alexandra
Christopher Bridges, Mark Voet, Wu Wei, Zhang Ming Yang, Rod Allen (external examiner).
Somers, Calum Stewart, Briony Catherine Elliot
Buchanan, Alasdair Burns, Zhao Jun Hui, Zhao Zhi Front row: Richard Haynes, Jane Sillars,
Kenneth Caldwell, Jill Cassidy, Strachan, Gemma Thurston, Kris Tim Thornicroft, Suzy Angus, Helen Matthew Hibberd has been
Wallace, Lynsey Wylie
F&M/Spanish Diploma Florence Ming Yan Hallier, Leslie Mitchell, Louise
Todd Cooper, Rebecca Day, appointed a visiting professor
Islay Roberts, Ruth Winkler Poon, Wang Yun, Yun Jie Womersley, Jairo Lugo, Philip
Jemma Deacon, Boyd Dickson, Schlesinger.
at the Pontifical Gregorian
Alan Dobie, Eve Forrest, Jane F&M/English Studies F&M/Sports Studies Online Absent: Gillian Doyle, Karen Forrest, University, Rome (2005-06).
Gardner, Jed Gilchrist, Natalia Catherine Abram, Daniel Barrett, Fiona Caldwell, Conor Polly, Scot MSc Lara Celini, Charles Xureb Matthew Hibberd, Jacquie L’Etang,
Karen Lury (external examiner), Mike
McDonald, Jenny McKay, Stephanie
2 3
COVER IMAGES (clockwise from top left):
Elinor Goodman lecturing; Joan Bakewell answering questions; Jon Snow chatting with Marriott, Claudia Monteiro, Heike
students in the Department’s newsroom. PHOTOS: Fred Phillips PHOTO: Fred Phillips
Puchan.
Onwards Myra Macdonald
Inwards
rough terrain. With her husband Brian - they got married in October
2005 - she is a white water kayaker, has bagged all 284 Munros and
is now completing her Corbetts. She has climbed many of the world’s A former lecturer in media and communication studies at
major mountain ranges and is one of only 100 female members of the Glasgow Caledonian and principal lecturer in media and cultural
studies at the University of
We have recently said goodbye to a prestigious Alpine Club. Heike’s decision to retrain as a mountain but welcomed others to the Department
leader is a sad loss to the MSc in Public Relations. (JL’E) Sunderland, Myra has degrees
number of fine colleagues... in English literature from
Aberdeen (MA) and Cambridge
Magda Pieczka (PhD). Her work has been most
influenced by feminist theory,
For 15 years colleagues and students at Stirling have benefited from
Simon Frith Magda’s sharp intelligence, calmness and wit as well as from her
especially in its intersections
Simon joined us from Strathclyde University in 1999 and rapidly high standards and sense of fair play. In Poland she had lectured in
with cultural studies. Both her Phil Drake
established himself as a key figure both in our research and teaching. books, Representing Women Phil previously taught film,
English Literature and run her own English language school. After
His writings on popular music and and Exploring Media Discourse, media and cultural studies at the
studying Modernism at
public prominence as chair of the arose out of courses she was University of Paisley. Before that
Glasgow University on a British
annual Mercury Music Prize have Council scholarship, she teaching at the time. Myra’s current research explores media he researched city development
set an inspiring example to married Ken Garner. She then representation of marginalised voices, in relation especially to at the University of Glasgow and
postgraduate researchers in the took another postgraduate Muslim women, and constructions of memory on television. ‘I feel completed a PhD on the political
Department. A batch of PhD degree, in Publishing, and very privileged,’ she says, ‘to have been welcomed into a economy of Hollywood. His
theses supervised by him is now joined the MSc in PR distance department with an extremely strong research community and a interests include film, memory,
approaching submission. His learning team as an editor, commitment to a supportive teaching environment.’ celebrity and cultural policy. He
influence also extended to those soon becoming involved in recently co-organised a conference on celebrity that generated
undertaking undergraduate teaching and writing. Magda’s international media interest and is on the steering group of
dissertations after following his creative input into the field of Ideasfactory Scotland, set up by Channel 4 to support new talent
specialist course. Furthermore, public relations has been Derek Hodge in the creative industries. Phil’s also an enthusiastic traveller and
Simon ran a private seminar on significant. She single-handedly Derek originally trained as a research biologist and gained a DPhil once worked his way across four continents for a couple of years.
music in the Department. So his presented a major challenge to in Microbial Genetics from the He still likes to venture abroad when possible and is pleased the
well-deserved departure to the the dominant US paradigm in University of Sussex before Department has excellent international links.
Tovey Chair of Music at Edinburgh University will deprive us of a her 1996 monograph ‘Paradigms, systems theory and public entering a career in retail
highly distinctive contribution. relations’. A characteristic of her work is its careful, forensic management. He moved into
Simon’s work extended well beyond his specialist interests, as analysis. Recently, she has focused on public relations public relations in 1990 and
director of the postgraduate research programme and as an professionalism, expertise and systems of knowledge. Generations of worked as a consultant in
Marie-Thérèse Duffy
influence on both curriculum review and the launch of Journalism PR students at Stirling will remember Magda’s inspiration, her steely Marie-Thérèse previously worked in the Faculty Offices of Human
Scotland for nine years before
Studies. He also played an important role outside the Department on dissection of their written work – and her elegance. (JL’E) Sciences and Natural Sciences
gaining an MSc in Public
AHRC committees and in the field of music policy in Scotland. Simon before replacing Linsey as the
Relations at Stirling. He returns
will be missed for the breadth of his contribution, his intellectual full-time secretary for the MSc
after several years working in
liveliness and his support for the Department’s collective endeavours. Linsey Kirkpatrick the Division of Applied Public Relations courses. In her
(PRS) spare time she is doing a BSc
For the past five years Linsey was the linchpin of the MSc in Public Communication at the University of Central Lancashire, where he
Relations. A supremely organised perfectionist, with a great sense of was a senior lecturer and course leader for the MA in Strategic (Hons) Criminal Justice Studies
humour, Linsey had considerable empathy with students, especially Communication. His areas of expertise include media relations, degree as a distance learner
Heike Puchan those on-line. She herself studied for her two degrees on a part-time with the University of
crisis communications and the use of the Internet and other
After her MSc in Public Relations, Heike stayed on for a decade as a basis. The fact that these were in Education was a considerable communications technologies in public relations campaigns. Portsmouth and is training as a
colleague. Alumni will remember her excellent teaching, always bonus to the MSc course directors: she was always an informed volunteer member of the
meticulously prepared, her supportiveness and sense of fun. Heike’s sounding board for ideas about Children’s Panel.
academic interests included inter-cultural communication and assessment and teaching
evaluation. Her most original work has been in sports ethnography, practice. It was inevitable that Jenny McKay
analysing extreme sports in the media from the vantage point of a Linsey would one day move from
After working in television, magazines and newspapers, Jenny Jane Campbell
participant. Because of her a secretarial to an administrative
modesty few people realise that taught journalism at several universities including City (London) Jane joined the Department as a
post. Her promotion to a newly
Heike is an exceptional and Strathclyde, where she was course director at the Scottish part-time secretary in August
created position in Postgraduate
sportswoman. She has competed Admissions is a natural Centre for Journalism Studies. Her main research interest is having been in the Faculty of
successfully many times in the development and a very well magazine journalism and publishing. The second edition of The Arts Office since 2003. She
higher classes of the Karrimor earned success. (JL’E) Magazines Handbook, which she wrote for university students trained as a legal secretary but
International Mountain Marathon, interested in magazines and for newspaper journalists making the took a 16-year break to bring up
a gruelling two-day orienteering switch to magazines, was published in November 2005. Jenny is her two children. In her spare
event in which competitors carry also interested in the early journalism of Daniel Defoe and in the time she enjoys the many sports
all their gear over 50 miles of development and status of reportage and literary journalism. facilities on campus.
4 5
AN UPDATE ON 2004-05
Where are they now?
1984 Trade and The Man Who Walks, Associates, providing solutions to in September 2005 and have since Idols brand in India, Singapore, Suzanne Bush works in Rome as Sweden. Her cookbook Bon Lloc journalist for Scottish and Irish
two feature films written by Irvine the challenges of social exclusion, moved to Bridge of Allan. Indonesia and Malaysia plus The a journalist on the English service won a prize at the World Cookbook newspapers specialising in music,
Dr Dan Fleming has moved to Welsh, through their company, unemployment and disengaged Apprentice Indonesia. Dug also of the Italian news agency Awards in Barcelona in 2004. film and football. Interviewees
New Zealand to take up a chair in Kirsten Campbell has transferred
4Way Pictures Scotland Ltd. communities for clients in executive produced The Price is Adnkronos International. have included Joan Collins,
screen and media studies at within BBC Scotland from political Naomi Nunn is an Edinburgh-
Mark’s The Story of Film is being government, the public sector and coverage to general news. Right Vietnam and ManOMan in (suzanne.bush@fastwebnet.it) Malcolm McDowell and Noel
Waikato University, Hamilton. He based marketing and
translated into various languages the social economy. Paul has India. (dugjames00@hotmail.com) Gallagher. He also lectures on
was previously professor of media (Kirsten.Campbell@bbc.co.uk) Dr Chris Durham has gained a communications manager with BT,
and he’s working on a television recently joined the board of freelance writing at Strathclyde
and cultural studies at the Robin MacPherson MLitt is a Gerry McCusker (MScPR,’94-’95) PhD from the University of focusing on Government IT projects
version. He’s also guest Scottish Screen. (info@zealey.com) University. (richard_purden@hotmail.com)
University of Ulster. senior lecturer in Film & Video is the author of Talespin: Public Newcastle with a thesis entitled in Scotland. (naomi.nunn@bt.com)
programming the February 2006
Production and programme leader Relations Disasters (Kogan Page, ‘Masculinity in the Post-War
Lyndon Saunders, after the live Ross Robertson has gained an
Mexican International Film Festival.
1986 1991 for the MA Screen Project 2004). Now based in Australia, he Western: John Wayne and Clint
BBC Three late night show
MA in Journalism and the NCTJ
Development at Napier University. runs his own consultancy, Eastwood’. (chris.durham@blueyonder.co.uk) pre-entry certificate in newspaper
Lesley Conway (née Drennan) Destination Three and the second
Andrea Calderwood is the 1988 (MScPR,’90-’91) is Cancer (r.macpherson@napier.ac.uk) Generation Text.
Calum Green is a freelance sports series of BBC 2’s Dragons’ Den, is
journalism from Sunderland
producer of The Last King of University. (rossdrobertson@yahoo.co.uk)
Michael Hines directed and Research UK’s public affairs Georg Misch’s film Calling Hedy reporter for BBC Scotland and STV. now working on a new Sudoku
Scotland, the screen adaptation of Lamarr was broadcast on BBC2 in He married Elaine Howarth in quiz show for BBC One, having
produced series 4 of Still Game for officer for Scotland (see p8) 1993
Giles Foden’s novel about Idi Amin. February 2005. (georg@mischief-films.com) September 2005. been part of the creative team that
Directed by Kevin Macdonald, the
BBC2 and was director of four
episodes of Byker Grove for BBC1
Jules Hussey was line producer Michelle Hegarty (MScPR,’92-’93) developed the format in
2003
film stars Gillian Anderson and for the BBC2 series Space Race Michael Nolan is studying for a Andrew Hay’s sequence of
and several commercials for is head of public affairs for the Manchester. (lyndon.saunders@bbc.co.uk) Andrew Browne is doing a
James McAvoy. and Sky’s Coked Up Britain master’s in music therapy at paintings ‘The Boy Who Fell in
Scottish companies last year. Scottish Parliament. She was postgraduate diploma in broadcast
broadcast in autumn 2005. Her Queen Margaret University Love with Film’ was exhibited at Carolyn Watt (née Charlwood) is
Pauline Moore is assistant editor previously director of journalism at Cardiff University
Tracey Mander, after a year out next project, with director Penny College. He has worked the Britannia Panopticon Music still in the advertising industry in
on BBC Radio Scotland’s phone-in communications with the charity Journalism School.
as a freelance writer and editor, is Woolcock, is a 21c. version of a extensively with young people in Hall, Glasgow, in September 2005. Glasgow, working now as a project
news programme Morning Extra Capability Scotland (see page 8). (andrewshuards@hotmail.com)
now a senior editor with Gartner, well-known Bible story, two one- Fife and been a regular house executive at the Carnyx Group,
and lunchtime news programme Daniel Maxwell is an Edinburgh-
the American firm specialising in hour programmes for Channel 4 for accompanist for regional film publisher of magazines such as Katie Rebbeck works in Glasgow
Scotland Live. She has also prod- based broadcast journalist with
uced a number of radio docu-
IT and business research, based in Easter 2007. (jules@brazen.tv) 1994 theatres and for the Scottish Film
BBC Scotland’s Parliamentary Unit,
The Drum. She married David Watt as assistant to the education
Surrey. (Tracey.Mander@gartner.com) Archive. (Mikenol@aol.com) in 2003. (carolyn@carnyx.com) director Scotland, Channel 4
mentaries for the station. Am Kaith (DipPR,’90-’91) works for David Dick has moved from the producing programmes and
Learning. (krebbeck@channel4.co.uk)
(pauline.moore@bbc.co.uk) Hertz at their European head office Sunday Herald to follow editor Julian Tranquille has been an reporting on Scottish, Westminster Diana Weilepp’s latest film, Flight
editor with the Soho-based editing and European parliaments for into Redness: a walk with the poet Ashleigh Witcher works for the
1989 in London, managing the Andrew Jaspan to the Melbourne-
based newspaper The Age as facility Cut and Run since 1998, television and radio. John Burnside, was screened at law firm Burness as a marketing
company’s marketing partnership
1987 Dr Kay Weaver is an associate with Nectar, the UK’s loyalty executive editor (development). working mainly on commercials (daniel.maxwell@bbc.co.uk) the Munich Documentary Film communications executive.
Mark Cousins made Cinema Iran professor in Waikato University’s programme. and music videos, but also on TV Festival in May 2005, at the
Management School, New Charlie Gauvain’s Norwich-
and On the Road with Kiarostami, programmes. (julian@cutand run.tv) SILVERDOCS: Discovery Channel
plus 14 short programmes, for Zealand. based production company, eye 1998 and AFI Documentary Festival in 2004
Channel 4 in May 2005 - all on the Paul Zealey has set up an 1992 film and television, produced their
Karin Finlay works as UK and Silver Springs, U.S.A., OpenEyes in
theme of Iranian Cinema. He is independent, Glasgow-based Rachel Blackburn and husband
first children’s drama series, The 1996 Ireland public relations manager at Marburg and Blue Sea Film Festival
Joanna Barker (MScPR,’03-’04) is
Secret of Eel Island, for Five in a PR assistant with Provident
currently producing The Meat consultancy, Paul Zealey Martin Rugg had a daughter, Katie, Dave Burrowes completed an VisitScotland, Scotland’s national in Finland in 2005. (dweilepp@web.de) Financial, Bradford.
April 2005. (charlie@eyefilmandtv.co.uk)
MA at Sunderland University while tourism board. Charlotte Wiig, having completed (joanna.barker@providentfinancial.com)
Pauline Larkkom and husband teaching media at a Yorkshire sixth (Karin.Finlay@visitscotland.com)
Daniel Burt had a daughter, Emily a postgraduate degree in Nicolette de Beer (MScPR,’03-’04)
In September 2005 family, fellow graduates, friends and staff attended form college. He now has a funded photojournalism at the London
Alison, in June 2005. Rob Shorthouse is senior media is a new project consultant with
the planting on campus of a red oak in memory of Phil Johnson (’86), PhD studentship at the University College of Printing, now works in
manager for the First Minister of Publicis Consultants/Van Sluis in
who died suddenly in May. Narcissi have since been planted round the Liliana Marceno (MScPR,’93-’94) of Ulster to study the sexual London as a freelance
Scotland, Jack McConnell (another Amsterdam, working on financial
tree by the Department. works for Telecom Italia Domestic content of teenage magazines. photographer and photojournalist
Stirling graduate). He recently PR and corporate communication
Wireline Business Unit developing (d.burrowes@ulster.ac.uk) for Norwegian and British
returned from a period of for Anglo-Dutch companies.
information. She plans to take Rachel Chadwick is an ITV secondment at 10 Downing Street, publications. Her work can be
another masters degree in (n.de.beer@pvsc.nl)
factual features producer, based which covered the July 7 bombings. seen at www.charlottewiig.co.uk.
Multimedia Communication and in Leeds. (rachel.chadwick@itv.com) (Rob.Shorthouse@scotland.gsi.gov.uk)’ Fraser Campbell works in the
Journalism at La Sapienza Glasgow-based Merle advertising
University, Rome. Steve McCormack works as a 2002 agency as the account executive
Dr Donn Tilson was named as
technical project manager with 2000 Sophie Jones (MScMM online, for Macdonald Hotels & Resorts.
Red Bee Media, formerly BBC (fraser.campbell@merleagency.com)
one of the top six professors at the Broadcast. Johannes Brun, after four years 99-’02), director of public affairs at
University of Miami in 2005 from (stephen.mccormack@redbeemedia.com) studying acting in New York, now ITN, was among Broadcast Robin Chalmers (MScMM,’01-04),
more than 350 nominations. hosts a show, MessTV, on magazine’s Top 50 ‘Ones to Watch’ an in-house lawyer with BBC
(Donntilson@aol.com) Rob Waller is news editor of Norwegian national television and in 2004. Worldwide, is involved in the
Glasgow-based Radio Clyde. works as a freelance journalist licensing of BBC programmes and
John Angus McKay (MScMM
and actor. (johsern@hotmail.com) services.
1995 online,’99-’02) is director of the
Dug James is taking up the role of 1997 Guro Eide is now working as newly formed Gaelic Media Angela Millar is an assistant in
production co-ordinator on the Service (Seirbheis nam the Drama Department at BBC
senior producer on American Idol Hubert Bolduc (MScPR,’96-’97) is
BBC Three parenting programme Meadhanan Gàidhlig), formerly the Scotland. (angela.millar@bbc.co.uk)
5 in the USA. He has just spent 18 Vice-President, Communications
Little Angels. (Guro.Eide@bbc.co.uk) Gaelic Broadcasting Committee
months as regional executive and Public Affairs, for Cascades Zoe Smith works in Glasgow as a
Ingar Nilsson (MScPR,’00-01) (Comataidh Craolaidh Gaidhlig).
producer for Fremantlemedia in Inc., the Canadian paper runner with the Comedy Unit.
Asia, with responsibility for the corporation. (hubertbolduc@cascades.com) works as a freelance journalist in Richard Purden is a freelance (zoesmith_123@hotmail.com)
6 7
Very Public Affairs Michelle Hegarty From Edd McCracken’s office window on the sixth floor of a plush
A Fresh Outlook
building on Edinburgh’s St Andrew’s Square, it’s impossible to
After graduation I was fortunately able to remain in
Two graduates have more in common than Scotland, taking up a public relations post within the NHS in
look out and not see something remarkable. Gary Meenaghan hears from an
just their Stirling MSc degrees; they hold Lothian. Two years later I moved on to Capability Scotland (then ‘We share offices with The Herald, but we get the better view,’ he expat Irishman of his progress to an
similar senior PR posts in Scotland. the Scottish Council for Spastics) to lead on the external quips in an amiable Northern Irish accent. editor’s chair.
communications aspect of its corporate identity change, which Since graduating,
won a Scottish Marketing Award. This was a new post, offering Edd has worked as
the chance to develop the charity’s range of communications a bouncer in an Irish
functions, including a formal campaigning role and a policy team. bar in Seattle (‘most
Lesley Conway (née Drennan) Since 2005 I have been head of public affairs within the Scottish people laugh
Although I did my dissertation with the
Parliament, another new role, which brings together five teams: because I’ve quite a
Regional Health Authority in London
media relations, visitor and outreach services, public information, slight frame’), been
where I’d previously been a press officer,
corporate publications and the broadcasting unit. I am sent by the Sunday
I decided to stay in Scotland after
responsible for overarching strategy and implementation. The Herald to Egypt (‘the
graduating. Just as well really, as I went
work is very varied – no two days are the same and it’s exciting to Red Sea is one of
on to meet my husband here.
be involved with Parliament as it evolves. the greatest places
After a spell in Glasgow with Alan Clark on earth to scuba
The concept of a public affairs group is new to Parliament.
Associates, I worked as a freelance dive’) and Helsinki
However, the principles of open communication, public
media and publications consultant specialising in health, with the (‘the reindeer steaks
participation and accessibility are core to how it operates. This is
Royal College of Nursing and the British Medical Association as are chewy, if not
reflected in its management plan’s focus on developing
clients. sublime’). He’s now
opportunities for participation in parliamentary business and
By 1999, newly married and yearning to focus on a single activities as well as on increasing awareness and understanding editor of the paper’s
organisation again, I became the Imperial Cancer Research of Parliament throughout Scotland. This really sets a clear agenda new monthly youth
Fund’s Scottish press officer. Following its merger with the for the public affairs group and other teams. supplement, fresh. It
Cancer Research Campaign in 2002 I’ve been Cancer Research must be the luck of
The charity and public sectors have one key thing in common: the Irish.
UK’s public affairs officer for Scotland.
accountability for how public money is used. So a lot of thought
My responsibilities include promoting the charity’s profile among Edd is the first to admit that he is fortunate to be where he is the editor of fresh. The 20-page publication targeting Scotland’s
always goes into whether an approach is cost-effective and
politicians and opinion-formers, co-ordinating a Scottish national today. ‘At university I didn’t do any work experience, anywhere,’ youth has been in full swing now for over a year and is unique in
appropriate. Also, the same types of professional strategies and
conference, and dealing with politicians’ questions and he says. ‘I was just very, very fortunate to be in the right place at the sense that it is advertisement-free, being sponsored by the
tools are used in each sector. I’m struck that I’ve gone from
consultations with the Scottish Executive. I’m also involved in the right time.’ Scottish Executive, NHS Health Scotland and the Royal Bank of
attempting to influence the Scottish Parliament to being directly
campaigning on cancer-related issues in partnership with other Scotland.
involved in the mechanics of how it operates. On further pressing, it turns out that he actually did have some
health organisations and developing Scottish policy for the Edd, who produces around 70 per cent of the magazine’s content
And since the Parliament promotes work-life balance for its staff, experience. While recording sports reports for Radio Airthrey, he
charity through consultation with various stakeholders. himself, is responsible for creating a publication that has caught
I’m taking the opportunity to learn yoga this year! admits to ‘bigging up Northern Ireland’s football team…in the
Public affairs is a real growth area for us. We carry out two thirds days when there was nothing to big them up for!’ the eye of its niche market. With high-profile interviews such as
of the UK’s cancer research and our views on cancer issues are Hollywood actress Jessica Alba and Mercury Music Prize
Lesley Conway and Michelle Hegarty studied on the Public In his third year at Stirling Edd went to the University of Kansas on nominees Hard-Fi, fresh is quickly gaining a reputation with
increasingly in demand from the media, politicians, statutory
Relations programme, graduating MSc in 1992 and 1994, the Study Abroad programme. While he always wanted to be a readers and writers alike. A recent edition of the magazine saw
agencies and the public. In the three years since its merger,
respectively. journalist, it wasn’t until his experience in the US that his true London-based bosses call him to offer an interview with Son of
Cancer Research UK has boosted its public affairs team from four
enthusiasm was ignited. ‘I was always quite interested in film too, Dork, the new band featuring James from Busted. ‘It’s nice to get
to twelve.
but it was doing the journalism courses which cemented the idea to that point where people are coming to you and offering you
One of the first things we did was to establish a policy steering that I definitely wanted to be a journalist.’ things,’ he admits.
group for the whole organisation, made up of representatives
from different departments and enthusiastically chaired by the Since then, Stirling has introduced its own Journalism Studies Despite his success in climbing the journalistic ladder, Edd’s not
chief executive. This has moved the public affairs agenda further degree programme, which will produce its first graduates this getting carried away. ‘I’m not one of these people with a mad
into the minds of senior management. coming June. Edd admits that, had the course been available five-year plan,’ he says, leaning back in his chair and gazing out
earlier, he would have been first to enrol. the window. Over the shimmering waters of the Firth of Forth lies
Working in the charity sector has been the most rewarding
After graduation he was quick to return to America for four the Kingdom of Fife, invitingly, on the horizon. But what’s on Edd’s
environment of my career. The specific field of cancer is
months, a move which he refers to as his ‘running away’. horizon? Where will he be in five years? ‘Everything’s kind of
scientifically and medically absorbing, and the people you meet in
Following the short stint as a bouncer he came back to Scotland organic. You can’t really plan for these things – and that’s half the
the public affairs area, even politicians, are tremendously co-
and managed to acquire some work experience at the Glasgow- fun!’
operative.
based Sunday Herald. He then contributed to the newspaper as a
freelance as often as they wanted him.
Edd McCracken graduated in Film & Media Studies/English
After several months’ work and a few foreign excursions for the Studies in 2001. Gary Meenaghan will be among the first cohort of
Michelle in the Debating Chamber of
travel section, Edd was eventually offered a full-time position as Journalism Studies graduates in June 2006.
the new Scottish Parliament building
8 9
OUR ASIAN
INDIA
Rohit Jaiswal (‘02-‘03) works in Delhi for India’s largest media music and culture. ‘At Stirling I learnt a lot about life,’ he says,
conglomerate, The Times of India. He is part of their brand team’s ‘from washing my clothes and buying groceries to cooking. I
GRADUATES 1:
‘strategic initiatives cell’ concentrating on product innovations also learnt to play golf and squash, to swim, canoe and do
and special projects, brand health, and brand-knowledge aerobics. As a result I’ve become a more self-reliant person.’
management. ‘I owe my career progression and work profile to (saviodesouza66@hotmail.com)
the Media Management course, which opened up the world of
By Peter Meech business, economics and media industry trends, helping me make
Meanwhile, Aditi Dave Aggarwal (’02-’03) and her husband,
Nikhil Aggarwal, have recently moved from New York City to
a smooth transition from journalist to media manager,’ Rohit says. Singapore. In her last job she was a manager with Bennett
(rohit.jaiswal@timesgroup.com) Coleman & Co’s digital venture, the Indiatimes portal and the
Scarcely a day goes by without some mention of India in the UK media. If it’s not the country’s booming Other MSc Media Management graduates, such as Shaziya Khan Times Of India’s online edition. As a content strategist Aditi
economy, ICT or film industries or its space programme, it’s a familiar reference to the country’s massive (’98-‘99), can be found in the advertising sector. She herself is had responsibility for determining the market feasibility of
population, hundreds of languages, diverse cultural traditions and stunning landscapes. Whether on the news, working as a strategic planning director with J. Walter Thompson proposed content. This involved liaising with the creative,
business, sports, entertainment or travel pages, India’s salience in the press and in other media is simply Mumbai, ‘looking at India, Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam for a business and technical heads of departments to outline future
unavoidable today. Unilever detergent brand. We’re currently in the thick of strategies for senior management. (dave_aditi@hotmail.com)
The sub-continent has long sent many of its medics to gain professional qualifications in the UK. But recently a developing campaigns, new product ideas, and communication
analysis. I’m part of a multi-cultural team of Brits, French, Thais,
different type of postgraduate has been coming to British universities, and Stirling has been one such
Indians, South Africans, Australians... a genuinely small planet
institution to benefit. In the Department of Film & Media Studies all three of our masters courses, Media
feel!’ Shaziya has also lectured in universities in India on
Management, Public Relations and Media Research, as well as our doctoral programme, have attracted a consumer behaviour and communication. (shaziyakhan@hotmail.com)
regular inflow of Indian students.
Rahul Upadhyay (‘01-’02) also works for JWT, but as an account
The majority of them return home on graduating, but some have chosen to stay in Scotland. The latter category director in Calcutta with a client roster that includes the large
may well increase as a result of the Scottish Executive’s Fresh Talent Initiative (2005), which offers overseas Telegraph newspaper
graduates of Scottish educational institutions the chance to remain here for another two years to work or to group and a retail chain.
study further. ‘Wish I was there’, he
Rather than attempt to report on the whole range of our Indian alumni, this feature focuses on some of the says, ‘is the thought
which first comes to my
graduates of our MSc in Media Management programme, launched in 1993 and the first of its kind in the UK.
mind whenever I think
about my time at Stirling
University. It was a year
spent learning, making
PEARSON/FCO/STIRLING friends and having loads STAFF VISITS
SCHOLARSHIP of fun. In many ways, I
Professor Philip Schlesinger was invited by the British Council
now find myself a changed person – both professionally and
For the past decade the MSc in Media Management at Stirling to visit west India in February-March 2005. He lectured on ‘The
personally. The learning went far beyond the academic, from
has been home to a prestigious annual scholarship. It is Communications Revolution in the UK’ at the Council offices in
having late-night sessions with my friend from Ecuador,
funded partly by the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, partly by Mumbai and at the Symbiosis Institute of Mass Communication
comparing notes about politicians in our countries, to learning to
our commercial partner Pearson plc (a prominent international in Pune, where he also gave a public lecture on the topic ‘Is
like sushi.’ (rahul.upadhyay@jwt.com)
media group with publications including the Financial Times there a crisis in British journalism?’ At the Mudra Institute of
and the Economist) and partly by the University of Another advertising specialist, but one who has chosen to stay in Communication in Ahmedabad, Philip gave the keynote speech
Stirling. Each year the award funds one student from India Scotland, is Mohit Lodha (’01-’02), a research manager in to an international conference on ‘Postmodernism, Globalisation
(and another from China). It has greatly enriched the Edinburgh. ‘Developing an intimate and deep understanding of the and the Media’. Back in Mumbai, he visited film studios,
programme by bringing a steady stream of promising scholars consumer underpins all my work at Mediacom Scotland,’ he says. interviewed media executives and met Indian media studies
from all parts of the sub-continent to study at the University. ‘To this end, we commission research projects (both qualitative graduates of UK universities at a dinner attended by five of our
Our Indian scholars have enjoyed the opportunity to mix with a and quantitative), reporting the insights gained to the marketing/ own Film & Media Studies alumni.
wide array of other international students, many of whom have commercial team on the client side, and develop consumer
also been awarded studentships through the British Council’s Yassir Pitalwalla (‘02-’03) is currently based in Mumbai as India segmentation typologies. I also work as a trend analyst, which Dr Matthew Hibberd represented the Faculty of Arts on a
Chevening scheme. (GD) correspondent for Asia Money magazine, the Asian version of involves scanning and monitoring emerging consumer and social recruitment trip to Mumbai and Delhi in May and June 2005. The
Euromoney. He has been involved in the launch of Asia Money’s trends for clients.’ (Mohit.Lodha@mediacomuk.com) purpose was to grant instant acceptances to qualified Indian
LIST OF SCHOLARS Indian edition, which will be the first country-specific magazine After returning to India, Savio d’Souza (’98-‘99) worked as general students wishing to study on MSc courses at the University. As
with unique content that the Euromoney group has published. manager with the India Today group of publications on the well as meeting many new or potential students, Matthew
2005-06 Chandrasekhar Sambasivan 2000-01 Ramchander Seshagiri
Yassir also contributes to a number of global and Indian business marketing of Business Today, Computers Today and TIME encountered Media Management alumni who are now working
2004-05 Abhinav Kanchan 1999-00 Sanghamitra Guha magazines on a freelance basis. ‘I will always remember Scotland International. In 2002 he left the group to become secretary in the Indian media industry, including The Times of India and
2003-04 Rajesh Tahilramani 1998-99 Shaziya Khan as a cold place but with extremely warm people,’ he says. ‘After general of the Indian Music Industry, an affiliate of the London- the public service broadcaster Doordarshan. ‘Seeing some
getting used to breathing pure air in Stirling it was a tad difficult based International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. His familiar faces from Stirling was one of the highlights of the trip’,
2002-03 Yassir Pitalwalla 1997-98 Ramakrishnan Narayanan
adjusting back to the relatively polluted environs of Mumbai with job involves lobbying the government, recommending changes in he says.
2001-02 Iqbal Singh 1996-97 Nandita Mathur its sultry weather.’ (ypitalwalla@gmail.com) existing laws, dealing with internet piracy and promoting Indian
Part 2 of our survey of Asian graduates follows in next year’s
10 11
newsletter, when the focus will be on China.
THE PRODUCERS
Ironically, the highest praise for anybody in visual effects is not to
be noticed. It’s very rewarding, though, to reveal what’s been
sneaked past the audience once the project’s screened. Film is
an illusion, after all.
The Special Effects Barrie Hemsley graduated in 1996 with a BA in Film & Media
Studies. He is currently working on The DaVinci Code for Sony
Pictures & Imagine Entertainment.
Specialist
Barrie Hemsley is
the latest graduate to
Enjoying His Own
win a media prize –
in his case an Emmy.
Company
I left Stirling with my degree in Ewan King
one hand and a contract with a
script development company in What did you do after
the other. I felt I had made it. But graduating?
within two years, the company I gained a lot of experience
was bust and I’d decided to working for BBC
concentrate on my own Documentaries for a year,
material. Several commissions, then at October Films for 18 months and elsewhere in the
months and short films later, it independent film sector.
was time for another change.
In 1998, the chance arose of freelance visual effects work on the
What is Content is King?
We produce documentary films used by businesses to
feature Entrapment. I began as a runner and worked through the
promote themselves. We work with companies such as
ranks to co-ordinator and then production manager. By 2000 I was
Honda, Vodafone, Carlsberg, Tesco and Sky and have made
a visual effects producer on Band Of Brothers and loving every
films for some of the UK’s leading ad agencies. One recent
minute.
project involved staff visiting New York, India and Finland.
Since then, I’ve been privileged to work on dozens of productions,
collaborating with talented people in amazing places. The past How and when did you set up your company?
year has been my most successful yet, starting with the delivery It started in London in August 1999. Together with my friend
of the epic series Rome and ending with an Emmy Award for Best and business partner Stephen Liddle I created a product and
Special Visual Effects in The Life and Death of Peter Sellers. a marketplace for it.
In an age of digital cinematography and home computers, visual
effects are the fastest growing area of filmmaking. The 25 all-time
What contribution did Film & Media Studies make?
Stirling expanded my knowledge and understanding of the
most popular films worldwide are massive effects ventures. But
media industry and provided me with valuable experience
what are visual effects exactly? And why do they need a
of production equipment. It gave me time to think about the
producer?
world and become myself.
It’s all down to trickery. Effects are things that weren’t part of the
live action shoot and have been added or things that were there What is the Content is King prize?
and have been taken away. Computer models, animation, The prize is awarded each year to what Content is King
miniatures, rotoscoping, matte painting and compositing are the staff consider the best fourth-year undergraduate film. It
tools of the trade that produce dinosaurs, spaceships and was launched in 2004 to give something back to the place
superheroes. But sky replacements, make-up enhances and wire that made us successful - and to give us a big night out!
removals are equally crucial challenges. We judge entries by slightly different criteria from the
I adore visual effects, primarily because the job can spread Department, e.g. the most enjoyable film for an external
across every department of a film. Costumes, greenery, stunts, audience and the film with the most commercial viability.
camera – you get to work with everyone. Ultimately, my role as
producer is to ensure the supervisor has the resources needed to
And your relationship with Stirling graduates?
Content is King have recruited graduates from the University
deliver the visual effects shots and the studio get what they want
for the past three years. Six former students are now
for the budget agreed.
successfully working with us.
12 Ewan King graduated in 1997 with a BA in Film & Media Studies.You can also read
