They say it’s good to talk – and this week marks the sixth anniversary that Coventry University has been welcoming high profile speakers through its doors to take part in its Coventry Conversations.
Jon Snow – Coventry Conversations
Beginning as an idea by Coventry University Senior Lecturer in Journalism John Mair, nobody could have predicted that a season of free talks by guest speakers involved in the media industry would turn into a Coventry institution. But six years down the line, over 300 conversations have been hosted by the University, with around four million downloads made from online archives. Participants have included household names from the world of journalism and politics, sport, the arts; and academics from Coventry University and elsewhere.
High profile journalists to take part have included Donal MacIntyre, on the world of undercover reporting; Jon Snow, talking about the Twitter generation of journalism; Jeremy Paxman, discussing why he’s so good at grilling guests; Kirsty Wark talking about life as a political journalist; and Jeremy Vine, on starting his media career in Coventry. While local names have included BBC WM consumer champion Ed Doolan, BBC Midlands Today anchor Nick Owen, and former Coventry Telegraph Editor Alan Kirby; not to mention former Cabinet Minister and West Midlands MP Clare Short, talking about resigning from the government.
From the world of arts and entertainment Coventry University has welcomed award-winning scriptwriter Andrew Davies; creator of hit show Shameless, Paul Abbott; celebrated satirist Armando Ianucci; Royal Shakespeare Company Executive Director, Vikki Heywood; legendary DJ Paul Gambaccini; Coventry film director Debbie Isitt; and Two-Tone icon Horace Panter, from The Specials. Meanwhile, sport fans have been treated to talks by West Midlands’ football legend Cyrille Regis; the voice of Formula One, Murray Walker; and Coventry athlete and Olympic gold medal winner, David Moorcroft.
Coventry Conversations’ coordinator and Senior Lecturer in Journalism, John Mair said: “Coventry University has a superb reputation for media and arts studies, and the Coventry Conversations provide a valuable resource for our students while giving the public an insight into the world of media. It’s wonderful to be able to attract such high profile guests to the University and the city, and I feel very honoured to be able to act as an ambassador for Coventry as a whole while promoting the University as a centre of excellence and an essential stop on the media circuit.”
Forthcoming conversations include BBC Executive Producer of Comedy Jon Plowman, talking about the return of Ab Fab’s Edina and Patsy; a look ahead at the 2012 Olympics with Coventry athletic heroes David Moorcroft and David Long; local boys made good Brody Swain from Touch FM and Tom Reeves from Mercia FM; and Coventry City’s FA Cup winning team members Cyrille Regis and Dave Bennett, recalling that triumphant day in 1987.
Talks are free, open to the public, last approximately an hour and generally take place every Thursday at 1pm in Coventry University’s Ellen Terry Building on Jordan Well. For the calendar of Conversations visit the website: CoventryConversations
Over 300 Coventry Conversations have been held, with 250 available on podcast at: www.coventry.ac.uk/podcasts or www.coventry.ac.uk/itunesU