By Cerys Larsen, News Subeditor and Lily Wheeler, EDI officer
Epigram’s annual Women in Media panel event is returning this March for its third year.
Throughout the month, Epigram will be hosting a series of panel events, hearing from successful women across the media industry. From journalists to publishers, our speakers have experience in a variety of professional backgrounds and will be able to offer advice on how to enter into and excel in a range of careers within the sector.
Started by Epigram in 2022/23, last year’s event hosted a series of impressive panelists including: Nikki Waldron, a Producer at the BBC, Helen Thomas at BBC Radio 2, Louise Robinson, the Editorial Director for Saga Magazine, and many more.
With many of our University alumni set to join us, this event is an exciting opportunity to discover where your degree could take you. Whilst the primary objective of Women in Media is to break down barriers to media industries for women, attendees of all genders are welcome and will find the talks informative.
As well as our excellent panelists, we are excited to announce our keynote speaker: Susanna Reid. Reid's successful career as a journalist began in her role as Editor at Epigram.
Tickets will be £3 per event and £7 for all 4. Entry is free for students with an advanced membership to Epigram. Tickets can be bought on the Bristol SU website.
Most events will be on Wednesdays from 3pm, but Susanna Reid's talk will be on Friday March 28 at 2pm.
Alongside Women in Media, Epigram is running a Talk Series. Our next Talk series event will take place on Friday March 14 at 2pm and hosts Paul McNamee, the national editor of the Big Issue.
What to expect this year at WiM
Wednesday 5th March (Queen’s Building SLT 1.15 @ 3-5pm)
Clare Mercer, Director of International Publishing Harry Potter at The Blair Partnership, is a graduate of the University of Bristol in French and German. She is looking forward to imparting some advice as to what new graduates can do to stand out in the recruitment process.
Hannah Skelley, Fashion Writer and Stylist at The Times, covers emerging trends, beauty must-haves and the latest for young women and Gen Z. As well as styling covers and celebrity portraits for The Times Magazine, she talks about all things style on Times Radio. In Hannah’s words: 'anything on helping young women get into our industry is right up my street'.
Sian Norris, Writer, Journalist and Copywriter, specialises in reporting and investigations into women’s rights, with a particular focus on reproductive rights and ending violence against women. Her book, Bodies Under Siege: How the far-right attack on reproductive rights went global, was published in 2023 and is a study of far-right misogyny and how to fight it.
Wednesday 12th March (Chemistry Building LT4 @ 3-5pm)
Miranda Krestovnikoff, Radio and Television Presenter, covers natural history, wildlife and archaeological programmes. With a passion for telling wildlife stories, Miranda started her career as a runner for the BBC Natural History unit, going on to become a wildlife presenter. As a graduate of Zoology from the University of Bristol, Miranda demonstrates that a career in media is not just for humanities students.
Tori West is the Founder of BRICKS magazine, an independent arts and culture publication based in London. Her writing focuses on political and feminist issues, emerging talent, fashion, art, and identity. Tori is interested in providing support for marginalised communities to enter the creative industries, particularly those from working class backgrounds.
Bella Spratley, Features Editor for METAL Magazine and Freelance Journalist, graduated from the University of Bristol in French and Spanish. She specialises in writing on music, fashion and contemporary art. We are curious to hear about her experience working for a European publication in this post-Brexit era.
Wednesday 19th March (Queen’s Building SLT 1.15 @ 3-5pm)
Anna Silverman, Features Director at Grazia UK. Anna has interviewed everyone from Louis Theroux to Priti Patel to Jane Fonda and Amber Rudd. As initiator of Grazia’s Women in Westminster page, which spotlights a different female MP each week, Anna is interested in telling women’s stories.
Ivana Scatola, Digital Producer for CNN International, has a history of working in international news. Given the changing nature of the industry, Ivana is particularly interested in imparting her knowledge on the digitalisation of journalism. She is an expert in selling her Gen Z tech skills to appeal to employers.
Nasra Ayub, Activist, Writer and Public Speaker, is passionate about tackling racism, violence against women and girls, and engaging youth in activism and philanthropy. She writes on social justice issues such as racial injustice and gender equality.
Sofia Lewis, Broadcast Journalist for ITV Wales, is a graduate of French and Italian from the University of Bristol. Having entered ITV through their News Traineeship, Sofia firmly believes that you do not have to relocate to London for opportunities in journalism.
Wednesday 26th March (Queen’s Building SLT 1.15 @ 3-5pm)
Sarah Gordon, Former Business Editor at the FT. Now a visiting professor in practice at LSE, Sarah led the FT’s corporate coverage during the financial crisis and later went on to become Business Editor. Before journalism, she worked in fund management in the UK and US, and at the UN conference for Trade and Development in Geneva.
Caitlin Danaher is a Journalist on CNN’s news desk and Freelance Writer for The Royal Television Society. As a graduate of English Literature from the University of Bristol, her career began as a writer for Epigram. She has since had the opportunity to interview writers and directors of hit shows such as Happy Valley, Normal People, and Industry.
Ann Kay Freelance Writing and Editing Professional. She specialises in content on art, craft, design, architecture, interesting places, and cultural history. Ann’s advice on how to ensure longevity and stability in a career as a freelancer will be very valuable.
Friday 28th March (Location TBC @ 2pm)
Susanna Reid, Presenter of Good Morning Britain, will be joining us for the finale of our Women in Media series. As a graduate of Politics and Philosophy from the University of Bristol, Susanna will be returning to tell us all about her exciting career in journalism. She began her career as a producer at BBC Radio Bristol before transitioning to on-screen roles at BBC News 24, and going on to present BBC Breakfast from 2003 to 2014. Susanna has received numerous awards, including the Network Presenter of the Year Award in 2024 at the Royal Television Society Journalism Awards.
We are looking forward to welcoming Susanna and learning from her experience!
The range of voices and experience that will be joining us will make for a series of dynamic and varied panel events, offering something for everyone – no matter your academic background or career aspirations.
Featured image: Siân Clarke
