Engage Fellowship Podcast Brief
Lewis Hou, Engage Fellow, is looking to work with a podcast producer to share the story and findings of his Fellowship.
Podcast Brief
Working Title “It doesn’t always have to be like this…”
This podcast is exploring how things can change in society - why it doesn’t always have to look like this! In particular, it will focus on:
How knowledge is often power - who gets to create knowledge, and whose knowledge is valued
The current systems of knowledge production, including research and higher education, and how they can change
How can we change, model and/or build new systems to support knowledge and cultural democracies
The podcast will spotlight diverse stories of change from Scotland, the UK and internationally to explore broad themes. From how our economy could be oriented differently, how funding and national budgets can be preventative rather than reactive, how to update democratic processes in a time of declining trust, misinformation and AI, and how international development and collaboration can be reimagined. We'll then explore how this could drive change in higher education and research.
The podcast might take an experimental, interactive and arts-based approach to complement the stories and interview voices, potentially with optional reflective exercises or more speculative fiction imagining different futures. There may also be a chance to develop an accompanying resource or provocation tool which would enable others to discuss themes or ideas in their context.
The podcast series will be part of Lewis Hou’s Engage Fellowship, which is drawing together examples of systems change to support more diverse knowledge making in research, building on his work with Science Ceilidh, supporting knowledge democracy through participatory funding enabling communities to lead research in Scotland, and leading the Community Knowledge Matters network.
Role and Responsibilities
Genre Themes:
Society & Culture, Education, Economy and Tech
Target Audience:
Aiming for a more general audience, as well as those in research.
Aim:
Share informal, accessible stories and generate mainstream conversations around “systems change”.
Style: Interview, Narrative, Creative/Arts/Experimental
The aim for each podcast is to consist of two or three interviewers from diverse backgrounds - from grassroots and activists, to those who are in positions of power from a wide range of sectors. Lewis will be interviewing and bringing his perspectives whilst keeping the tone light, accessible and engaging.
Producer Responsibilities:
- Support managing this podcast series, collaborating closely with Lewis
- Informing the development and production of the podcast, including recommendations about the interview schedule and narrative
- Working with Lewis to develop the interview schedule and feedback process with interviewees
- Produce, assemble and edit the podcast to a high industry standard and quality
- Advise and/or support with engagement and distribution of the podcast to support a wide mainstream audience
Working Style
Collaborative
Artistic vision for a strong story
Similar values and drive for change
Timeline
There is some flexibility with the timeline; we are hoping to start the development in August 2025, with the commission lasting 6-8 months.
How to apply
To express interest in working with Lewis please submit a 2 page proposal of how you would approach the project. Please include:
- A short biography or CV
- Links to work you have produced
- Approximate costings for a series of 5 1hr long podcasts with 2-3 interviewees
- A timeline of how you would approach the podcast
If you have any questions, please email Lewis.
Please send your proposals to Lewis by 18 July. Proposals will be reviewed on an ongoing basis.