Call for Papers: BBC Local Radio 50th Anniversary Symposium

Call for Papers: BBC Local Radio 50^th Anniversary Symposium

Saturday 18 November 2017 at the University of Westminster, Regent Street, London

 This one-day symposium, presented by the Communication and Media Research Institute at the University of Westminster, with support from the Radio Studies Network /MECCSA, is to mark the 50^th Anniversary of the launch of BBC Local Radio.

In 1967, an important milestone in radio history was laid down. The BBC, after much deliberation and research, began to build a network of local radio stations across the nation. Notwithstanding its ambivalent relationship with the ‘nations and regions’ service, the BBC has, through its local broadcasting provision, made a profound contribution to the radio ecology of the UK. Indeed, BBC Local Radio continues to be a significant feature of the contemporary media landscape in serving local audiences in the 21^st century.

We are inviting papers for presentation and panel discussion which take a critical look at local radio broadcasting, drawing on comparative perspectives and current research into local media studies, and which may – though not necessarily – touch on some of the following issues:

• The significance of 1967 as a watershed year in radio history
• The contribution of key individuals and pioneers to local radio and broadcasting history
• Parochialism and/or the public sphere in action – BBC Local Radio, community and civic engagement
• Conceptions of ‘local’, ‘locality’ and ‘localism’ and how these can or cannot be realised, addressed and mediated by local radio
• The intersection between local and regional broadcasting, across the sectors of the BBC, commercial radio and community radio
• The contribution of BBC Local Radio to the representation and participation of minority groups and under-served audiences/communities
• The development of new production and broadcast practices, skills and technology, pioneered in the field of local broadcasting
• The importance of creating archives of local radio content
• Policies and potential – the extent to which BBC Local Radio achieves its aims
• The impact of technological developments on local radioand its future

Submitting a proposal:

• We welcome proposals for 15-20 minute papers or presentations relating to any period or locality
• We seek wide participation and welcome proposals from independent researchers, archivists, postgraduate students, academics, and broadcast professionals
• We welcome papers submitted together, but reserve the right to organise panels as we think best.
• Please use the following format for proposals:
  • Name, contact details
  • Title of paper or presentation
  • 250-word paper summary (max 1 page A4)
  • 50-word contributor biography
  • Send proposals as a Word doc or PDF attachment by email to Dr Matthew Linfoot: M.J.Linfoot@westminster.ac.uk.
• Deadline: Friday 5^th May 5pm
• Tickets for the Symposium will be on sale to all participants later in the year

Photo by Eric Nopanen on Unsplash