Broadcast: News items

The School of Media, Film and Music (MFM) has today (Wednesday 21 November) announced proposals to enhance its technical services for students and staff. 

The School believes the proposed changes will boost the student experience and provide better career development for technical staff. 

The current service has been in place since 2009 - since then, the School has roughly doubled in size and the demand for technological and professional expertise has hugely increased. 

The proposed new structure would introduce a new senior post, with oversight of technical matters within the School and reporting directly to the University’s Chief Technical Officer, Steve Johnson. The post holder would be part of the School’s Senior Management Team. 

There will also be enhanced roles for technicians, making greater use of their professional skills to support teaching. They will have a greater focus on upskilling students and providing technical expertise. 

Students would be employed as technical helpers on a casual basis to carry out the more general functions of the team. 

Professor Kate O’Riordan, Head of School, said: “We’re proposing a flexible, effective and fit-for-purpose technical service. 

“By bringing in more specialist roles and giving the service a key role in School decision making, we hope to transform the student experience in MFM. 

“Our vision is to make it much easier for students to access industry-standard equipment and learn professional skills, boosting teaching excellence and employability.” 

Staff will have an opportunity to discuss the proposals and provide their views over the next two weeks.