Isobel Sheeran, Head of Publicity, gives us an insight to their successful night at the Student Radio Awards, bagging various awards!
Insanity Radio, North Surrey's local radio station, is proud to announce that it has won a Student Radio Award, also receiving two silver awards. The gold award, in the category of Best Technical Achievement, was awarded to the station by the BBC's Dave Walters.
Jam Woods, Head of Computing, who accepted the award on behalf of the station's technical team, said: "It's a wonderful feeling to have your team's hard work recognised at the national level. "Nerve, our now award-winning music library, was built to make life easier for our presenters, production teams, and management staff. It's great to see that the industry professionals agree, and hopefully they can learn something from us, too."
"This is also a particularly important milestone, as a woman-led team haven't won in this category before.There is a problem both the technology sector and the broadcast sector with gender. If anything, the recent pay gap scandals have very much added to the problem. Depressingly, the intersection between both sectors has an even larger problem. I really believe that the best way to challenge this is by trying to get more girls into both sectors."
"One's gender obviously doesn't affect one's talent and potential, but if a girl is raised thinking that the industry doesn't want her, she's less likely to want to be there. Student radio is the path for many into the broadcast industry, whether that's having an on-air personality, technology/engineering, or otherwise."
"When I gave a speech on behalf our team at the awards, it was clear that the ideas I spoke about resonated with the student audience. We as a station value all of our volunteers so much, and we want to make sure our female volunteers feel safe and welcome, instead of alienated."
"This is especially important in our station's technical team, where over the past few years we've really had problems finding girls who want to get involved. Hopefully, having won this award, it sends the message that our team and station is a place for anyone and certainly isn't a boy's club."
"Insanity Radio is really special as we go beyond a typical student station in terms of reach and accountability. As a community station we have a real responsibility for our community, and our reach stretches far beyond the walls of campus."
"We're one of just five student stations in the country to share this responsibility, and currently the only one nationally not funded or backed by a radio production department. And we certainly have our female managers, board members, and our huge army of volunteers to thank for this."
"To any girls who have an interest in technology, please don't let peer pressure change your mind. We have as much a right to be in this industry as the guys. And we certainly make an impact on it."
"The radio industry, even student, have a problem finding women for technical roles. This is something that, despite our achievement, still absolutely needs to be addressed."
The two silver certificates were awarded to Sophie Shapter for her documentary series Shadow, and Philipp Carl Kostelecky, in the category of Kevin Greening Award for Creativity. Shadow is available for listening on MixCloud, and you can find Philipp on Sundays at 5PM on 103.2FM.
Insanity Radio is always looking for new volunteers, student or not, to join our many teams. There's plenty of information on getting involved available on our website. The station celebrates its 20th anniversary early next year, and as always, can be heard on 103.2FM, on insanityradio.com, and through your phone's App Store.
ISOBEL SHEERAN
INSANITY RADIO, HEAD OF PUBLICITY