Salford's radio talent takes centre stage at the I Love Student Radio Awards

The I Love Student Radio Awards aims to celebrate the commitment and contributions of individuals to student radio. It is those people and stations who go the extra mile, putting in time, effort and creativity behind the scenes, and whose commitment to student radio is unprecedented.

The awards were streamed online due to COVID-19, though this didn’t make the event any less special.

Gary Morrisroe, Lecturer at the University of Salford, said: “The amount of work, passion and talent exhibited by the students who run the University of Salford's Shock Radio and its speech-based sister station, Utter Radio is extraordinary. They clearly love radio and it shows in the quality of the content broadcast on the two stations. It is wonderful that they received recognition by the Student Radio Association in the I Love Student Radio Awards this year.”

Level 6 BA (Hons) Television and Radio Production student Edward Norton won Most Committed Member award, while also scoring Highly Commended in the Outstanding Contribution category.

Gary said: “I am so pleased that Edd scooped these awards in his role as Station Manager for Shock Radio. These are well-earned accolades for Edd, who this year created a new unsigned band night, organised the Student Radio Conference, DJ-ed at a multitude of University events, presented his weekly breakfast show, produced a range of programmes and steered the station through the pandemic and even a flood!”

Utter Radio, the University of Salford’s student-run station based at the heart of MediaCityUK, also won Highly Commended in the Most Improved Station category. Utter Radio broadcasts various programmes including news, drama, sport, comedy, panel shows, magazine, quizzes, and poetry. This week the station will also be broadcasting the final year projects of BA (Hons) Television and Radio Production students.

“This year Utter Radio, led by BA TV and Radio Student Tom Levins, has undergone huge change,” said Gary. “The station now broadcasts over 15 hours of new speech-based content each week, including podcasts about university life, panel shows discussing mental health and documentaries focusing on people living with disabilities.  It is wonderful to see the dedication and creativity of our radio students being rewarded.  I am so proud of them - the future of this vibrant medium is clearly in good hands.”

Harry Van Daalen of Shock Radio, also based at the University of Salford, also scooped Highly Commended for his management of the Student Radio Association in the North-West England & North Wales Region.

“Harry’s recognition is testament to his great energy and good humour,” said Gary. “He bought the region's seven stations together like never before with his commitment to forging a radio community.  He increased the regional membership numbers by introducing two new stations to the Student Radio Association and was the first Regional Officer in years to host all training days outside of Salford, with record breaking attendance numbers as a result.”

If that wasn’t enough, University of Salford student Teifi James has just been elected by the Student Radio Association to take over from Harry in the role of Head of North-West England & North Wales Region, while Salford Graduate Hannah-Mae Graham has been elected as the Chair of the whole Association.

Beth Hewitt, Creative Director - Media City Directorate, added: "Radio production is a hidden gem and offers so much to those students and graduates who decide to work within this field. To win such Radio Awards as these is a true credit to their abilities and a recognition of the emerging and creative  talent that we have here at the University of Salford. They also shine a light on the academic teams who work so hard to support their students in the work they produce. It is extremely important that our students efforts and expertise is noticed and winning these awards will undoubtedly help them stand out as they begin their media journeys, producing and directing radio, once they have graduated."

A huge well done to all the winners.