Deadline: 26 February 2017 | Apply here
Date: 31 March 2017
Location: London, The United Kingdom

BBC Expert Women 2017

BBC is looking for female experts who’d like to appear on air as contributors to BBC programmes.

The BBC Academy in conjunction with BBC News is holding a free media familiarisation day for women with particular expertise who are interested in appearing on television, radio and online as contributors or presenters.

The aim is to offer an introduction to the media, including practical experiences in front of a camera and in a radio studio, as well as masterclasses with industry professionals including experienced programme makers.

If you have expertise in any of the following areas, and you are interested in contributing to television, radio and online content, and you can also be at BBC Broadcasting House, London, W1A 1AA on Friday 31 March 2017, then apply for the BBC Expert Women 2017.

An ideal candidate

BBC welcomes applicants from any area of expertise, including the following:

• International relations and politics
• Diplomacy
• Terrorism
• EU negotiations
• Local government / social care
• Politics – particularly from the North of England
• Policing / security / intelligence / military
• Senior police officers
• Law/constitution, particularly Brexit
• Radicalisation/extremism
• Women in music – production rather than performance
• Economics
• Business
• Technology
• Apprenticeship trades, especially building
• Football
• Science, technology, engineering and mathematics
• Health

How to apply

• You will need to send your CV and a short film of no more than two minutes duration. The film is very straightforward and can be as simple as a friend recording you on a smartphone.
• The film should show you talking about yourself and your broad area of specialism. You should also tell about an idea you have for a story in your area of expertise which you think that the general public would find interesting.
• Your film should be uploaded to YouTube or similar and sent as a link in your entry email.
• Successful applicants will be notified by Wednesday 15 March 2017.
• Only apply if you are able to be at BBC Broadcasting House in London on Friday 31 March 2017.

Application Checklist

To apply, send an email containing the following:

1. Personal details:
   Name
   Field of expertise
   Mobile phone number
   Email address
   Job title: In lay person’s terms, clarify what your job involves
2. A link to your two-minute video on YouTube or similar of yourself talking about your area of expertise and outlining your idea
3. One written paragraph explaining the story/issue you have chosen to talk about. Why does this story need airtime? Why are you passionate about it? (250 words max)
4. Your CV as an attachment. Please name your CV file in the following format: firstnamesurname_CV
5. The following paragraph deleted as applicable (see Privacy Policy, below)

I do/don’t give my permission to be informed if the BBC Academy holds further masterclasses. I do/don’t give the BBC Academy my permission to share my details with other producers or broadcasters. I do/don’t give my permission to the BBC Academy possibly including my video in an Expert Women YouTube channel and playlist.

All to be emailed to expert.women@bbc.co.uk

Judging criteria

A panel of experts from the BBC Academy and the wider BBC will view all the material submitted and will select up to 24 delegates, plus up to five for a waiting list, based on the following criteria:

• Passion for your chosen subject
• Communication skills
• Your unique selling point as an expert in your field
• Your potential as on-air talent
• Relevance and audience awareness

The event

The Expert Women’s day will offer both practical experiences in front of a camera, and in the radio studio, as well as masterclasses with industry professionals including experienced programme makers.

The initiative

It’s been acknowledged by broadcasters across the industry that there aren’t enough expert female contributors appearing on air. BBC Expert Women is an attempt to redress the balance via a series of free training days that provide experiences, insight and networking opportunities that help demystify the media and boost skills.

For more opportunities, check our opportunities sections and subscribe to our weekly newsletters.