MA in Podcasting students to gain hands-on experience and use their storytelling skills to create a podcast series raising awareness about vital work of the UNFPA.
By Eve Lacroix (Senior Communications Officer), Published
City St George’s, University of London is partnering with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to offer MA Podcasting students the unique opportunity to produce a podcast series highlighting the vital work of the UNFPA across the globe.
The UNFPA is the United Nations’ sexual and reproductive health agency, with the mission of creating a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled.
The podcasting initiative, which will see students work closely with UN delegates, aims to raise awareness of key issues impacting women, girls, and young people.
Students will gain hands-on experience of producing a high-profile podcast series, providing them with valuable industry experience in a real-world context.
The project is spearheaded by Brett Spencer from the University’s Centre for Podcasting Excellence, alongside the BBC Women in STEM (BBC WiSTEM) co-chair Lalita Taylor, and Dr Nigina Muntean of the UNFPA.
Topics may include sexual and reproductive health, gender equality, and the empowerment of women and girls. With support and mentorship from UNFPA professionals and industry leaders, City St George’s master’s students will create content that will be shared on streaming channels and on UNFPA and the University’ platforms.
Brett Spencer, Senior Lecturer in Podcasting and Director of the Centre for Podcasting Excellence at City St George’s, University of London, said:
City St George’s consistently ranks top in the country for journalism – being ranked 1st in the UK for journalism in the Guardian University Guide 2023 and 1st in the UK for Communication and Media Studies in The Complete University Guide 2023. Dr Glenda Cooper, Head of the Department for Journalism added:
The project was initiated by BBC WiSTEM co-chair Lalita Taylor, who expressed her enthusiasm for promoting diverse talent. She said:
Dr Nigina Muntean, Chief of Innovation at UNFPA, said:
The students will collaborate with UNFPA to create compelling audio stories that amplify the voices of those working on the ground to advance gender equality and reproductive health.
This collaboration underscores the power of media to inspire change and highlights the growing role of podcasts in tackling global issues.