I completed a PhD at Falmouth University in 2023, researching the use of digital media, networking technology and open source software to broaden participation in community radio.
This is an area I am very passionate about as I have seen first hand the benefits that community radio can bring to the participants and listeners. Currently some groups are under-represented in community radio stations across the country. There are a number of reasons for this, for example, childcare issues, rural isolation and health issues. My project will attempt to use lo-fi, ubiquitous technology (laptops, smartphones), networking and open source software to create mobile studios and the ability to stream to the main studio. I will collaborate with individuals and groups from the under-represented communities to create broadcast content and research whether participation can be improved.