When radio began at the beginning of the twentieth century it was necessarily a communication rather than a broadcast medium (the only thing to listen to were transmissions from other radio users). Now, after more than a century of mass broadcasting, radio - the transmission of live and recorded sound – is moving from being a broadcast medium to being once again a medium of communication. Under these conditions, how might the production and broadcasting of sound come to form part of academic discourse? Theorists and historians of sound have devoted much time to thinking about radio. Might it now be possible to begin thinking in it?

As part of Static, the London Consortium’s audio-visual development project, Thinking Radio is a series of workshops led by notable practitioners of radio, who will reflect on what radio has done and what it may be able to do in the future. The workshops will be practical as well as critical, and will encourage those attending it to explore practical possibilities for the production of radio work in conjunction with their academic research, and as part of the cultural programme of the London Consortium. Numbers are limited, and those who wish to attend should contact Steve Connor in advance.

Wednesday 24 February 2.00-4.00
308, 30 Russell Square, London WC1E
Tim Dee, author of The Running Sky (2009), will reflect on his experience as a BBC radio producer for 30 years.

Wednesday 10 March 2.00-4.00
308, 30 Russell Square, London WC1E
Steven Connor, ‘Thinking Out Loud’.