FASS Co-pros spotlighted on newly launched Broadcast and Partnerships website

Our new Broadcast and Partnerships website is officially live. Specifically designed to house and showcase all activity stemming from our unique relationship with the BBC, FASS co-productions feature prominently on the site.

Dr Joanna.Paul, Senior Lecturer in Classical Studies is one of our two Open Media Fellows for FASS, working in collaboration with colleagues in Broadcast to create inspirational BBC programming with the potential to kick-start and enhance life-long learning for all. She says:

“We’re very excited to see this site launch. Our partnership with the BBC has developed in lots of ways over the years, including the launch of BBC Sounds and BBC Ideas, and the new site will provide another way of expanding the reach of our broadcast projects.”

Dr Alison Penn, Senior Lecturer and Staff Tutor in Social Policy and Criminology, is Open Media Fellow for Social Sciences and Psychology & Counselling. She says:

“The enduring impact of our broadcast legacy is the opportunity that it gives us to translate the OU mission of making teaching and research accessible to all into easily-consumable, award-winning programming.”

As a Faculty we were particularly humbled when The Fires that Foretold Grenfell, made with the academic excellence of Prof. Steve Tombs, won two awards, one at the Learning on Screen Awards (winner of the Broadcast Award) and the other at the RTS Television Journalism Awards (winner of the Current Affairs award). This crucial piece of filmmaking explored why lessons were not learned from previous tragedies. The ever-popular Springwatch also won a BAFTA for Best Live Event; a proud moment for those involved, including Nominated Academic, Dr Andy Morris.

Most recently, millions of viewers have been enjoying Richard E Grant in FASS co-production Write Around the World, following authors whose work, past and present, has been inspired by the culture, history, cities and landscapes of southern Italy, southern France and southern Spain.  It would have been impossible to achieve the depth of exploration without the academic expertise of Prof. Nicola Watson and Dr Joanne Reardon and their presence from the earliest production meetings.

Visitors to the site can also explore the fascinating series Forensics: the Real CSI, made with Dr Jim Turner, which follows serious crime investigations in real time, revealing the crucial role cutting-edge forensic science now plays in bringing criminals to justice.

Our academic involvement means that every BBC broadcast enjoys the benefit of our research-led teaching; marrying each series to a curriculum path as well as providing free-learning opportunities. In Secrets of the Museum, academics Dr Clare Taylor and Prof. Leon Wainwright brought their wealth of expertise to underpinning programming authenticity and natural pathways to our related OU degrees, including our BA (Hons) Art History and Visual Cultures. For those seeking to dip their toe into learning, our interactive quiz ‘Could you be the Curator?’ provides the perfect exploration of objects and their place in the V&A.

That’s really just the tip of the iceberg. Whatever it is that interests you, you’ll find plenty to whet your appetite on the Broadcast site. Have a browse and see what you discover.