A platform for academic dialogue

‘In Our Time’ host Melvyn Bragg. Photograph: In Our Time

Three academics, Melvyn Bragg and a single idea: Radio 4’s In Our Time has returned to broadcast in time for the start of the academic year. Tackling an impressive variety of subjects ranging from history, science and philosophy to classics, culture and religion, the programme is invaluable to university students of all disciplines. To welcome in the new series, Palatinate speaks to producer Victoria Brignell about the programme’s history, its guests, and the never-ending knowledge of Melvyn Bragg.

In Our Time started out in 1998 as the brainchild of Bragg and the BBC. Following Bragg’s departure from political programme Start the Week, the idea was conceived as an attempt to liven up the Thursday ‘death slot’ he’d been given. The show wasn’t expected to last the year. Seventeen years and over 600 episodes later, however, In Our Time remains an essential and popular programme for listeners interested in lively academic debate. Consequently, although the programme isn’t aimed specifically at students, In Our Time has quickly gained appreciation from universities around the UK. Brignell mentions that the programme’s episodes have often been compared to ‘radio seminars’. Indeed, the show has increasingly expanded its repertoire of subjects, and in 2000 the programme was changed from a half-hour slot to 45 minutes, making it more reflective of a lecture or seminar at most universities. The show also moved from hosting two guest speakers to three around this time, subsequently increasing the range of voices contributing to each week’s discussion.

The programme presents itself as an ideas show, discussing theories, topics and concepts. Guests do not choose to appear on the programme to promote new books to listeners; they are chosen because they bring a distinctive voice to each episode’s topical debate. Brignell is keen to emphasise the diversity of topics chosen as a result of this. “We choose topics we think are interesting,” she says. The programme does not deliberately follow developments in academia, but its topics are often very relevant to university courses across the UK. “The production team doesn’t have time to be across all the current trends in academia, but we do receive many ideas from listeners and guests,” Brignell explains. “A large number of our programmes are based on topics suggested by academics and members of the public.”

The programme is refreshing for the range of guests it hosts, especially when one might be expecting to see it dominated by Oxford and Cambridge academics. Brignell reassures me that In Our Time is “not an Oxbridge programme”. Indeed, a number of Durham’s own academics have appeared on the programme, including Carlos Frenk, Richard Gameson and Mark Woolmer. Guest diversity is a key reason for the show’s success. “For each programme, we aim to book the leading experts in their field. Thanks to the internet, it is possible to find out academics’ research interests and publications relatively easily, and that means we can find guests from a range of institutions.” She stresses, too, that the guests are chosen for their skills in radio as well as their research fields. “We look for experts in their field, but they also need to be engaging communicators. We need them to be able to display passion for the topic.” Guest speakers commit a significant amount of time to the programme. They are involved in the research and planning processes of each episode, as well as travelling to London, for the show’s recording. Academics’ commitment to the programme is important and highly valued by the production team. When asked about the academics’ behaviour, Brignell can’t think of a time where a guest has been uncooperative or difficult. “I’ve never come across any academics who are unhelpful,” says Brignell. “Fortunately, the programme has a strong reputation in the academic world and guests are keen to support it.”

Producer Victoria Brignell. Photograph: John McCafferty

With the vast number of subjects and guests appearing on the show, it is Melvyn Bragg who provides constancy. Bragg is well-known by listeners for being impressively, almost impossibly knowledgeable on each episode’s topic. Brignell explains that there is a long research process before the show airs, aided in part by the guest academics. She and her colleague carry out hour-long telephone conversations with the guests, before they come on the programme, to gain a more in-depth understanding of the topic. Then, each week, they send Bragg about 30 pages of briefing notes. In an interview with The Scotsman in 2009, Bragg reveals the extent of the work he undertakes for each episode. “I enjoy what was called swotting in my day,” he explains to the paper. “I get the notes late Friday afternoon for the following Thursday morning. I find all the spare time I can for reading, get up very early on a Thursday morning, have a final two hours of nervousness, and away we go.”

With more than 600 programmes made so far, and more coming up every week until summer, there is no sign of the programme’s end any time soon. Episodes are often directly related to university courses, and the production team is keen to emphasise the benefits In Our Time offers to students. The show offers in-depth discussions and debates on an extensive variety of topics; each episode is a useful starting point for further exploration into a specific academic talking point. With so much preparation, and the invaluable input of three specialised academics, it’s no surprise that In Our Time is rapidly gaining popularity amongst students.

In Our Time airs at 9am every Thursday on Radio 4. Past programmes can be downloaded from the website at bbc.co.uk/radio4/inourtime.

Originally published in Palatinate.

Corbyn reaction has reached "near hysteria" claims former MP

Image: The Northern Echo

THE author of a novel portraying a fictional coup staged against a left-wing British Prime Minister says the media response to the election of Jeremy Corbyn has reached “near hysteria”.
Former MP and minister Chris Mullin said the reaction of the media to the unexpected election of the new Labour leader mirrors that predicted in his 1982 novel A Very British Coup.
Mr Mullin is to give a sell-out talk on The Art Of Political Leadership, examining the careers of 20th Century political leaders, on Saturday as part of the Durham Book Festival.
He said that he expects Mr Corbyn’s name to be mentioned when he answers questions from the audience after his talk.
A Very British Coup centres on the surprise election of left-wing Labour candidate Harry Perkins and the attempt of MI5, the City and the press to bring him down.
Mr Mullin said: “The reaction of much of the media to the Corbyn leadership has been more or less along the lines predicted in my novel, written 35 years ago – near hysteria.
“Some of the military are behaving predictably, too”.
Asked whether there is a difference between a good political leader for the north and one for the south, Mr Mullin told The Northern Echo: “The fates of the north and the south are linked.
“When the south catches a cold, we get flu up here.”
He added: “Actually, the north has done a good job of reinventing itself since the disappearance of our traditional industries.
“Nissan in Sunderland has been a particular success. 
“The recent arrival of Hitachi, fitting out railway carriages in Newton Aycliffe, is also good news.”
Chris Mullin will speak at Durham Town Hall on Saturday at 3pm. He will also interview Vince Cable in the Town Hall at 7.30pm the same day.

Originally published in The Northern Echo.

Banquet fun

Sunderland Minster will be hosting a medieval banquet on October 30, organised by the Rotary Club of Seaburn satellite group. Inspired by Game of Thrones, the evening will include entertainment, re-enactments and a three-course banquet of traditional dishes. 
Tickets cost £55 from www.rotarysr1.co.uk, or call Andy Bradley on 0191 515 4880 for further details.

Originally published in The Northern Echo (in print).

Trust launches new flu video

Staff at a North-East NHS Trust have launched an animated video as part of their campaign to raise awareness of the flu vaccine amongst staff.
The video, from Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust, follows a successful campaign last year that saw the most nurses vaccinated in the north east. 
The Trust hopes that this year’s campaign will inspire more staff to receive their vaccination.
Dr Damian Robinson, Director of Infection Prevention at NTW, explained: “Despite running a very successful campaign last year, we were concerned about the adverse reports in the media about the effectiveness of the vaccine.”
He added: “We want to keep everyone safe from flu this winter.”
The video can be viewed on YouTube or by following a link on the NTW website.

Originally published in The Northern Echo (in print).

Walk to School children will head to centre

MORE than 70 children from primary schools across the North East will march to Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art in Gateshead on Wednesday, as part of the Walk to School project.
The children will walk to the Baltic from 10am.
They will also take part in a number of creative sessions in the arts centre, as well as a treasure hunt.
The project, run by UK charity Living Streets on behalf of Schools Go Smarter, will coincide with International Walk to School Month.

Jenny Wiles, North East Director for Living Streets, said: “We’ve been working incredibly hard with the local authorities throughout the North East to get more children walking to school over the past 20 years.“This event is a celebration of the enjoyment and health benefits the children we work with get through walking to school.”

Originally published in The Northern Echo (print).

Children's author gets region's biggest book festival underway

Image: Tom Banks

THE biggest book festival in the North East opened a new chapter today with a talk by a children’s book author and illustrator.
Students from Hardwick Primary School, Bowburn School and Shincliffe Primary School attended the opening event of Durham Book Festival, which was hosted by Durham Johnston School.
Writer Simon Bartram began the session by reading from his first book, Man on the Moon, and looking at the illustrations with the children.
He then went on to read from his second book, Bob’s Best Ever Friend.
The session was interactive, with the author asking questions and engaging his audience with each turn of the page.
Afterwards, Mr Bartram said: “It was really good fun. It always is with the kids.
“I try to create a bit of a pantomime. You find that kids are a good audience wherever you go.”
A theatre adaption of his book is touring the north of England until the end of October.
The tour runs from September 26 to October 31 and stars Matthew Gundel as Bob, the Man on the Moon.
It will include newly-adapted songs and music to accompany the story as it is brought to life on stage.
Commenting on the tour, Mr Bartram said: “I just saw it, actually. It’s really brilliant.
“The music and songs were all really good, and the kids loved that as well.”
Durham Johnston School hosted two other events today by Pip Jones and Linda Newbery.
Durham Book Festival runs until October 17 and will feature popular authors such as Bill Bryson and Philip Pullman.

Originally published in The Northern Echo (under Tony Kearney, News Editor and work experience supervisor). Also in print.

Animal charity appeals for furniture

A CHARITY shop is appealing to supporters to donate furniture to help fund its work with animals. 
Staff and volunteers at the Chester-le-Street branch of the veterinary charity PDSA are asking for good-quality furniture with a fire warning label in exchange for a free collection service.
The appeal comes from efforts to raise vital funds for the charity, whose work includes providing PDSA-funded veterinary treatment in the local area.
A charity spokesman said: “If you’ve recently redecorated, had a clear out or moved house and have unwanted furniture taking up your valuable space, then why not donate your items to PDSA?
“All donations will help us raise valuable funds to care for the sick and injured pets of local people in need.”
Supporters who want to donate their furniture should contact the shop on 0191 3881676 to arrange a free collection.
Donations can also be taken directly to the shop on Front Street between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Saturday.
For more information about PDSA, visit www.pdsa.org.uk.

Originally published in The Northern Echo (under Tony Kearney, News Editor and work experience supervisor). Also in print.