Salford lecturer named 2025 New Generation Thinker by BBC & AHRC

Dr Laura Minor, a Lecturer in Television Studies, is one of six ‘promising early career researchers in the arts and humanities’ selected for this year’s scheme after being handpicked from hundreds of applicants from across the country.

The New Generation Thinkers will collaborate with four BBC Radio 4 teams across the UK, who work on existing programming for Free Thinking, Thinking Allowed, Front Row and Woman’s Hour. Laura will work on Front Row – a magazine programme on the world of arts, literature, film, media and music.

Laura’s research primarily focuses on women’s contributions to television – both behind the camera and on-screen – along with representations of social class in British popular culture. Laura also serves as Co-Investigator on the AHRC-funded project ‘What’s On? Rethinking Class in the Television Industry’ which is collaborating with Channel 4 and the BBC.

She said: “I am thrilled to be selected as an AHRC New Generation Thinker and to work with BBC Radio 4’s Front Row.

“With my research focusing on television/comedy authorship and class representation, I’m excited to contribute to Front Row’s arts coverage while learning about creating radio content that brings cultural research to wider audiences.”

Laura’s first book Reclaiming Female Authorship in Contemporary UK Television Comedy was published last year. The groundbreaking book explored the rise of female comedy authors in UK television over the last decade.

Matthew Dodd, Commissioning Editor, Arts, BBC Radio 4, said: “As the biggest speech radio station in the UK, Radio 4 is thrilled to introduce six brilliant early career academics to such a broad audience.

Professor Christopher Smith, AHRC Executive Chair, said: “New Generation Thinkers communicate fascinating ideas to the public, expanding our cultural, social and philosophical horizons while prompting important conversations.

“I look forward to see what these six brilliant, original thinkers can produce with the resources of the BBC at their fingertips.”

Dr Minor is the second Salford lecturer in recent years to receive the title of New Generation Thinker. Professor Jade Munslow Ong, was named as one of the 2022 cohort, which was announced in association with BBC Radio 3.