Congratulations to our newest CAMRI PhD graduate: Christopher Day

Many congratulations to Dr Christopher Day on passing his PhD VIVA without corrections. His thesis, titled ‘The BBC and European integration, c. 1945-1975’, assesses the BBC’s coverage of European integration from the early post-war years through to the 1975 referendum.

Reflecting on his achievement, Chris commented: “I’m so pleased to have passed my viva after five years working on this thesis. It wouldn’t have been possible without my inspirational supervisor, Professor Jean Seaton, who has been a marvellous help and support over the last few years. I’d also like to thank the examiners, who led a really thought-provoking and insightful viva. I can’t quite believe it’s over!”

Professor Jean Seaton, commended Chris’ work for ‘opening up new understanding of both the BBC and the nation’s relationship to the EU’. She added: ‘Chris was funded by the marvellous Techne scheme which meant that as well as conducting sophisticated scholarly research he worked for associated organisations. He worked at the influential IPPR think tank on policy towards broadcasting, and helped establish The British Broadcasting Challenge – a small pressure group that is chaired by Pat Younge. Simultaneously to getting his PhD he had his first byline published on the BBC! Now we look forward to the book!’

External examiner Professor Piers Ludlow (LSE) commented: ‘Christopher Day’s thesis was an excellent and highly original piece of historical research. Grounded in a detailed reading of the BBC’s own archives, the thesis advanced a series of important ideas and assessments in a convincing and forcefully-argued fashion’.

Internal examiner Professor Steves Barnett noted: ‘Christopher Day has produced a very well-written and comprehensive analysis of the BBC’s political, institutional and journalistic role in the years leading up to the first referendum on membership of the Common Market’

We wish Chris continued success in his future endeavours!