Why you should attend the Women in Media conference 2026

By Emma Coleman, Film & TV Subeditor

Epigram's Women in Media panel conference is back for its fourth year with some exciting speakers!

This annual event, beginning in 2022/23, is a showcase of inspirational and highly successful women in the journalism and media industries. This year we are hosting an even more diverse range of industry experts from illustrators to global acquisitions executives and giving you the inside scoop on their career journeys and experiences in the sector.

Last year, we had the honour of hearing from keynote speaker Susanna Reid, who was an Editor of Epigram, and became a Presenter of Good Morning Britain. As well as many other amazing women, such as Hannah Skelley (Fashion Writer and Stylist at The Times), Tori West (Founder of BRICKS magazine), Sofia Lewis (Broadcast Journalist for ITV Wales) and many other successful individuals.

'Women in Media conference 2025' | Epigram */ Mihai Rosca*

Each time Epigram hosts this panel, we are reminded of the true scope of careers available in the media industry and become inspired to create our own career goals following university. As students, lot of the time we don’t know what to do with our degree, or what we even can do, and that is why Epigram have strived to bring speakers in such a variety of careers to the students of Bristol.

Working in media is no easy thing to get into, as we all know, but hearing about so many successful stories is eye-opening to just how much you can achieve. Particularly because becoming successful in this industry can be even harder for women.

However, we are not only hoping to inspire young women but people of all genders – so please, do not be put off by the title of the conference! There is priceless wisdom and advice for all people hoping to do great things in a career in any form of media.

‘Women in Media’ is truly such an authentic experience, which I know first hand having attended last year. As your average student who isn't sure what I want to do with my life or even if I want to go down the rocky road of media, I was truly inspired to pursue a career in journalism. Following the conference, I started to get more involved in Epigram and followed the various extra-curricular steps that our speakers recommended to us. I can’t tell you exactly what I want to do now, but I can tell you I want to be as in love with my career as those speakers were last year. Personally I cannot wait to hear more from our amazing 2026 lineup!

We are very lucky to be able to hear from another amazing keynote speaker this year, Stephanie Marshall, who is the Head of the BBC in the West/South West, as well as six other extraordinary women. Read on for the full line-up and schedule for the conference.

If you want to be a journalist, film maker, radio broadcaster, publisher, producer, presenter, writer, or illustrator I urge you to book your ticket now so you don't miss out!

Tickets are £9 for those with a standard Epigram membership, and £8 for those with a premium membership. You can purchase one via the SU website here and I promise it is worth every penny.

And if I haven’t tempted you yet, we are providing free refreshments and snacks…

Our speakers for Wim 2026 and where/when to find them

Thursday 19^th March (Sparks Bristol @ 4:45 - 8:30pm)

5pm - You will be welcomed by the Managing Director of Epigram, Eden Chambers.

5:10pm – Leah Pollard in conversation with Stephanie Marshall, Head of the BBC in the West/South West. Stephanie began her career working at the Derby Evening Telegraph and broadcasting at Radio Trent, then she returned west and worked as a journalist at BBC Radio Bristol. Here, she was part of the TV team that launched Westcountry Live. She went on to become the Editor of BBC Points West, before leaving to work on BBC breakfast. Since 2019, she has been the Head of the BBC West and South West.

5:50pm – Short break.

6pm – Alex Berry, Sub Editor at Radio Times, who works across the weekly print magazine and the app. She also writes film reviews and is part of the Radio Times Inclusion Committee.

Sanjana Idnani, TV News Journalist at BBC Wales, who produces lunch time and late news bulletins, occasionally also reporting for the programme. Also, she has worked across Online, TV and Radio outlets at BBC Wales, alongside Millbank and BBC Ukrainecast.

Helen Griffiths, Photographer, Writer and Videographer, who uses visuals to help sustainable businesses, ethical travel organisations and creative humans tell their stories – also writing about her own adventures.

6:50pm – Bristol graduate Darcy Paver, Global Acquisitions Executive at BBC, whose work involves acquiring the rights to distribute content on our international BBC-branded services. She began her career as a Junior Agent at a Cardiff-based talent industry, followed by moving to BBC Studios.

Alice Ferns, Illustrator, who explores themes relating to mental wellbeing, food, coffee, cycling, the outdoors and the experience of women and girls. She has a professional background in in copywriting, editorial, project management and communications.

Rachel Finn, Freelance Writer and Editor, who works mostly with lifestyle, culture, and tech clients. She has worked on campaigns for Apple, Amazon Music, Universal Music and Coach. Whilst, as a journalist, she’s freelanced for The Guardian, Digital Spy, Metro, i-D, Capital FM and many more.

7:30pm – Short break.

7:45pm – Questions from the floor.

8:15pm – Networking with refreshments.

Our annual ‘Women in Media’ event is such a great opportunity to learn from the experiences of successful individuals, get inspired by careers in media that you may have not even have been aware of, and ask any burning questions you have about the industry... plus, new for 2026, we have doughnuts. I hope to see you there!