Only 1% of UK Professors Are Black: How Imperial’s Media Academy Backs BME Researchers

April 13
21 mins

Episode Description

In this episode of the PRCA Fuse podcast, Adrian Ma speaks with Maxine Myers, Communications Manager at Imperial College London, who helped set up Imperial as one of the Media Academies.


The Media Academy is a three‑month programme for BME researchers from Imperial and partner institutions such as the Francis Crick Institute and the Institute of Cancer Research. It offers training in:


- Media interviews and broadcast appearances

- Social media and video storytelling

- Public engagement and communicating with diverse audiences

- Writing opinion pieces and blogs

- Public affairs and policy – including how to get research in front of decision‑makers


Since launching, the Academy has:

- Trained over 130 researchers

- Supported graduates to appear in 700+ national, international and industry media pieces

- Seen participants present at the House of Lords

- Helped secure funding for life‑saving research, from sickle cell care to rapid HIV diagnostics in sub‑Saharan Africa

Connect:

Website: Maxine Myers LinkedIn: nMaxine Myers


LinkedIn: Adrian Ma - Fanclub PR

Website: https://www.fanclubpr.com/


LinkedIn: Ike Mgbenwelu

PRCA Fuse (Podcast Producer): ike.mgbenwelu@prca.global


Disclaimer: Views expressed by the guest are their own and not necessarily endorsed by the Fuse podcast.


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