From Salford


Opportunity knocks So, what’s it like to work at MediaCityUK?


“It’s fantastic,” says Lisa Hill, a graduate of the University and now the Communications Manager for the Peel Group, the company that developed MediaCityUK. “I studied Media & Performance at the Adelphi Campus and graduated in 2000. I can’t help but feel a twang of jealously at what today’s students will be able to do here. Even the BBC has said the University’s studios are better than its own.”


Lisa has been part of MediaCityUK from the very beginning, from when it was just an idea on how Salford Quays could be further renovated; through to becoming the largest building-site in Europe and now, as home to the biggest TV studio complex in Europe.


“I can’t think of anywhere else in the UK where students would get an opportunity like this,” she says. “It’s not just working on shared projects with two international broadcasters, but the chance to ‘soft’ network too. Some days you’ll find the Director of BBC North just sitting outside and having a sandwich – what media student worth their salt wouldn’t see that as an opportunity!”


“ I studied Media and Performance at the Adelphi Campus and graduated in 2000. I can’t help but feel a twang of jealously at what today’s students will be able to do here.” Lisa Hill, Salford graduate


Students will have access to working editing suites, TV and radio stations


Central to Salford


But while MediaCityUK is now part of the University it is also part of Salford’s bigger picture. It’s already home to 40 smaller companies, most of which operate in the creative industries and are helping to change the face of the city.


“As well as the thousands of local jobs generated during the construction phase, we have openings at our hotel and across the facility,” says Lisa. “MediaCityUK is as part of Salford as the old docks were and even the BBC is running schemes aimed at helping locals without the necessary training take a first step into a broadcasting career.”


And then there’s the economic benefit to the wider community, with guests to the hotel and visitors to MediaCityUK’s open-air events space also bringing revenue into the City.


To discover more about MediaCityUK visit www.salford.ac.uk/mediacity


Free art


An exciting programme of free art events will be held at MediaCityUK throughout the year, with the campus playing host to internationally recognised video and installation artists.


Mid-October saw Anglo-French art group Sans façon transform the piazza outside into a stage, by replacing two streetlights with theatre spotlights – with passers-by encouraged to unleash their inner performer.


While November and December saw Puzzle, a video by South Korean artist June Bum Park, look at human behaviour through the use of sliding tile puzzles.


Details on the programme can be found at www.arts.salford.ac.uk/cms/news/arts


The University is at the very heart of MediaCityUK


“ When the TV journalism studio set was being planned we were asked whether it was something my Level 5 students could design. We always offer the chance for our students to gain real-world experience – so, of course, I said yes.” Andrew Wilkins, Design Lecturer


Alumni Magazine 2011 9


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