Journalism and Media Week returns to Leeds Trinity University in November, with Jeremy Bowen, (International Editor BBC News), Screen Yorkshire and TalkSPORT among the headline speakers.
Attendees will also be face-to-face with Cathy Newman (Channel 4 News), popular radio duo Mylo and Rosie (Hits Radio Breakfast show) and Jordan Schwarzenberger, the 27-year-old co-founder of Arcade Media, the management company for Europe’s biggest creators The Sidemen (over 244m cross channel followers, and the third most searched term on YouTube globally in 2023).
On Monday November 4, attendees are invited to a welcome breakfast giving them the chance to find out more about the programme, ask questions and network with like-minded people, academics and media experts. The first day also includes a Wordspace session for budding writers, poets and storytellers to share their work, and an exclusive in-conversation titled ‘Life’ with the award-winning photographer Ian Beesley. A selection of Beesley’s work will also be on display in Leeds Trinity’s Brownberrie Gallery space.
Awarded an Honorary Fellowship of the Royal Photographic Society, Ian Beesley is a social chronicler who has been documenting his home city of Bradford over several decades. He uses black and white photographs to capture fleeting moments, stories of a community life, and heavy industries long since lost. His work has been widely published and exhibited across the globe.
On Tuesday November 5, those in attendance will hear from leading film and TV experts as part of the Screen Yorkshire Day including the session ‘It starts with the writer’ with award-wining Yorkshire writer, Lisa Holdsworth. Lisa is the former chair of the Royal Television Society Yorkshire Centre and has written for Emmerdale, Robin Hood, Midsomer Murders, Waterloo Road, Call the Midwife, and All Creatures Great and Small, as well as radio and stage work.
The Screen Yorkshire Day also includes a special effects demo and run down from the experts. The demo will give onlookers the chance to see flame bars, how creators can play with the weather, smoke and sparks.
On Wednesday, November 6, the programme offers an array of sessions with leading experts from the world of radio, podcasting, investigative journalism and world news. Current students and the public will also hear from some of Leeds Trinity’s alumni who have gone on to build a successful career in media.
To bring the week to a close, on Thursday, November 7, audiences will hear from Michael Weadock (TalkSPORT) with his session ‘Behind the scenes broadcasting at the Olympic Games’; Professor Kevin Hylton who will discuss ‘Race and Racism in Sport’; and an in-conversation with the comedy writing duo Nat Saunders and James Serafinowicz who between them have worked on shows such as the early 2000s sketch Smack the Pony, the film Holmes & Watson, and are Creative Directors at Stolen Picture, the TV and film production company founded by Simon Pegg and Nick Frost.
Attendees will also be part of a live podcast with The Square Ball, celebrating 10 years of all things Leeds United, and bringing the week to a close.
Leigh Purves, Broadcast and Digital Journalism Programme Leader at Leeds Trinity University said: “We are looking forward to welcoming such a dynamic fusion of talented industry experts, to speak and deliver workshops to our students on campus.
We are living in a time where the power and influence of news, global storytelling and the creative industries are more crucial than ever before, and it is a pleasure to welcome such prestigious guests through our doors to shed light on these matters.”
Darren Harper, Sports Journalism Programme Leader at Trinity and co-lead of Journalism and Media Week, added: “Journalism and Media Week provides a fantastic opportunity for our students to gain an insight into what it’s like to work and build a career in the real world of journalism and media. They can meet and speak with some of the industry’s best and they always learn so much from this event.
“It also allows our staff team to collaborate and utilise their own networks and contacts who are eager to support further generations of journalists and creatives. This is just another example of how we support our students whilst they are studying with us and for their future careers.
“Not only is this our sixteenth Journalism and Media Week, but Leeds Trinity University also ranked number one in the UK for Journalism in the Guardian University Guide 2025. I am proud of all who help make this an engaging and special week in the calendar for our students.”
The carefully curated programme gives Leeds Trinity students, students from other establishments, and members of the public interested in journalism and media, an opportunity to listen, learn and network with leading experts from a wide range of professionals across TV, film, radio, print and digital media.
This year it takes place from Monday 4 to Thursday 7 November at the University’s Main Campus in Horsforth.
For more information about Journalism and Media Week 2024 and to view the full line-up of speakers, visit the Leeds Trinity University website.
