Kirsty will discuss the future of the media industry and the BBC’s move to MediaCityUK with Peter Salmon, Director of BBC North, at the event held in the Digital Performance Lab, a unique multimedia test-bed and research space, at the University’s new MediaCityUK facility on Wednesday, 26 October at 5.30pm. The lecture is open to members of the public along with University staff and students, and attendance is free of charge.

One of Britain’s most experienced TV journalists, Kirsty has presented a huge range of programmes over the past 25 years, including the ground-breaking Late Show, Election specials and live stadium events. Over the past 10 years, her role as host of The Review Show has seen her conduct interviews with everyone from Margaret Thatcher to Madonna, Harold Pinter to Pete Doherty, and Damien Hirst to George Clooney. She has won several major awards for her work, including BAFTAs for Journalist of the Year and Best Television Presenter.

She is also one of three finalists of BBC One’s Celebrity Masterchef, with viewers discovering if she has been crowned champion in the final show this Saturday, 22 October.

Joining Kirsty on stage will be Peter Salmon, who has worked for the BBC, Channel 4 and Granada during a television career of over 30 years, overseeing a broad range of programming including current affairs, drama, entertainment and sport. He was appointed Director, BBC North, at the end of 2008 with a brief to build stronger relationships with audiences across the UK.

University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Martin Hall, said: “Engagement has always been high on the University of Salford’s agenda and we have a specific mission to be part of the local and regional community. The Lecture Series is one of many the ways we aim to achieve this and Kirsty Wark and Peter Salmon’s discussion on the future development of the media industry couldn’t take place at a more relevant venue than our Digital Performance Lab in our facility at the heart of MediaCityUK.”

Free tickets to the event are limited and will be issued on a first-come-first-served basis. Anyone wishing to attend can register at: https://supporters.salford.ac.uk/NetCommunity/SSLPage.aspx?pid=695.