malcolm love - career history

  


 

Malcolm Love (b Jan 14 1955)

Before going full time into broadcasting I was a Baptist Minister in Battersea, South London for 10 years, having gained a BA in Theology and a post-graduate Diploma in Pastoral Studies. (During which time I became involved with local TV and radio). I now describe myself as a ‘Devout Sceptic’. 1987 attempted some freelance journalism in Central America (Nicaragua and El Salvador).

BBC
I joined the BBC in 1988 (Religion) in London, becoming a producer and doing occasional presenting on R4, R2 and BBC World Service. Production work included numerous Obs (Outside Broadcasts), News and Current Affairs (Sunday), large numbers of talks (mostly for R4 but also for R2 and R3), documentaries and features (the 12 part ‘Protesters for Paradise’ – a history series with the late Brian Redhead; ‘Search for the Spanish Soul’- about post Franco Spain, ‘A Short History of the Cold Shower’ – series all about Victorian moral advice, (mostly about sex). Moved to Bristol Religion department, then made the move to Features and Documentaries department in Bristol (during John Birt’s ‘Centres of Excellence’ reorganisation). From 1994 became (staff) senior producer in Bristol.

Producer and series editor: ‘Fourth Column’ (regular contribs included Ian Hislop, Simon Hoggart; Alexi Sayle; Victoria Coren; Bernard Ingham, John Diamond etc) ‘Devout Sceptics’ (which won a Sandford St Martin Award) , ‘On the Ropes’ with John Humphrys (for which I won a Silver Sony for Best Interview of the Year – for a programme with Derek Lewis – former head of the prison service, sacked by Michael Howard); Many other programmes and short series including: 5 part series ‘Bullying in Sport’ (with Clare Balding) for R5 live; ‘Traffic Jam’; Cause and FX; Another series of ‘Short History of the Cold Shower’ and 2 series –‘A short History of the Lettuce’ (about dietary advice); ‘Homing In’ (with Clare Rayner), Sikh Youth (with Navdip Dahriwal).

   Training courses
Training the Trainer (Guardian Business Services and BBC training unit); Directing Television (BBC Elstree); Management Training (BBC)

Freelance career
In 1997 I left the BBC staff and became a freelance producer, a communication skills trainer and also began to work in Science Communication.

Production projects have included
Several series of ‘Devout Sceptics’ with Bel Mooney and ‘American Icon’ for R4.

I have produced corporate films for Nokia UK Ltd, Imperial College, London University and St Peter’s Hospice.

The European director of Discovery Channel commissioned me and my colleague Andrew Johnson to develop a pilot science programme for ‘Discovery Radio’ – a shot at global programming which, I suspect, was ultimately stalled in their marketing department.

I also designed and produced a show with my colleague Paul Hargreaves (part of a company transformation project) for Powertrain UK Ltd on behalf of NOKIA. This included designing and building a theatre inside an existing warehouse.

I’ve made audio programmes on CD for the University of West of England (UWE), Great North Eastern Railways and Choice Hotels Europe.

I continue to produce programmes for the BBC and am a registered supplier for BBC Radio 4.

Other activities include
Training and coaching in Communication Skills (eg Media skills, presenting and speaking in public, people skills). My clients include people from many different fields including scientists, business people, medics, politicians and church leaders.

Science Communication
I've always loved science and manage to combine two of my passions by teaching Science Communication. I teach a masters degree in Science Communication at Bristol University/UWE; a diploma in Science Communication at Birkbeck College London (where I am also course director for the second year). I also teach scientists at Imperial college, London and at the Gulbenkian Institute in Lisbon.

I am currently a member of the EPSRC College and sit on the selection panel for EPSRC senior media fellows. With my Colleague Kathy Sykes (Prof of public engagement of science at Bristol University) I coach the ‘Famelab’ finalists. FameLab is a Cheltenham Science Festival/NESTA/Channel 4 joint project – based on the ‘Fame Academy’ idea.