Humanities Media Pitching Competition 2026: information session

Humanities Radio & Television Pitching Competition | 2026  

Do you have an idea for a documentary, radio episode or other media output, based on your research? Is there an anniversary coming up related to a person, event, film, book or play you are researching? Have you come across a story which you think would resonate with wider audiences? 

In Trinity Term 2026, the Humanities Division presents a TV and radio pitching event for researchers at all stages of their careers, from postdoctoral to post-holders. This event is in collaboration with Whistledown Studios, The Garden TV and Paramount/Channel 5. 

Please be aware this opportunity is for members of Humanities academic staff at the University of Oxford only. 

Through this competition, you will have the opportunity to learn how to develop a pitch, understand what works and doesn't work for audiences in the radio/TV space, and get a snapshot of the overall process of turning a research-based idea into a radio or TV programme.  

Successful applicants need to be open to input and feedback from our media partners and flexible with their ideas to ensure they translate well to radio and TV. There is no guarantee that any idea will be taken to a broadcaster or made into a programme.   

Click here to sign up.

Step 1: Preparation session  

There will be a preparation session on Wednesday 6 May 2026 (TT week 2), 1pm - 2.30pm. The session will be led by David Prest (Whistledown) and Mike Philo (The Garden TV) and will give an introduction to:  

• What kind of stories producers are looking for  

• How to present your pitch idea  

• Advice on taking your first steps into this area  

Researchers who would like to take part in this competition but are unable to attend the training session may still participate in the competition. Please fill out the form to express your interest. 

Step 2: Submit your pitch 

After the introductory session, you will have three weeks to write a short pitch of 200 to 400 words, outlining why and how your research could provide original material for a television or radio programme.  

Ideas need to be accessible to a wide audience, demonstrate how your theme is linked to your research, and sketch out how the programme or series would use your unique research, access, contacts or expertise.  At this stage, do not worry about the format, length or number of the episodes. However, if you have an idea of whether your pitch idea is better suited for radio or television, please include this in your proposal.    

Applications open on Wednesday 6 May. The deadline for proposals is Monday 18 May (TT week 4) at 12noon - please email your proposals to Alex Coke, Theatre & Performance Research Partnerships Manager: alex.coke@humanities.ox.ac.uk  

Successful applicants will be contacted by Monday 25 May (TT week 4) and invited to a 15-minute 1:1 pitch meeting with our media partners Mike Philo, David Prest and Kit Morey (Channel 5/Paramount) on Wednesday 3 June (TT week 6) 

About our media partners

Kit Morey: Paramount/Channel 5 
Kit is responsible for commissioning fresh, exciting content in the Popular Factual space that reflects the 5 brand whilst capturing viewers and creating returnable formats. Since joining 5, they have commissioned more than 200 hours of prime time shows, including Toy Hospital, Motorhoming with Merton & Webster, Lost Dogs with Clare Balding, Wonders of The Human Body with Michael Mosley, The Hospital: Life on The Line, Inside The Hilton, Sally Lindsay’s Posh Sleepover and the RTS nominated Air Fryer shows. Kit has also commissioned high volume returnable formats such as Million Pound Motorhomes, Ben Fogle’s Make a New Life in The Country, 999: Emergency Call Out and Ambulance Code Red, which is 5Star’s highest rated factual series, while also overseeing popular returners such as Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly, Rich Kids Go Skint and The Hotel Inspector.

Mike Philo: The Garden 
Mike is Director of Development at The Garden, and has worked at the company since 2017. He is responsible for The Garden's new ideas operation as it expands across genres, buyers and territories. Recent commissions include Squid Game: The Challenge (NFX); The Neighbourhood (ITV); Critical (NFX); Attack on London (NFX) and Wilderness with Simon Reeve (BBC). Previously he has worked at Oxford Scientific Films, in-house at the BBC and KEO Films. 

David Prest: Whistledown Studios 
The company has studios in London, Glasgow and Berlin, and make BBC Radio 4's The Reunion and Feedback, and many other documentaries, series and podcasts for national and international broadcasters. In 2020, they produced The Great Post Office Trial, the first long form investigation into the Post Office/ Horizon IT scandal.  They also produce content for Audible, branded podcasts, Politico’s Westminster Insider, and their own originals such as Power Sisters, The Lulu Podcast and Dinner With Bob Dylan. The company is a three-time winner of Indie of the Year at the prestigious Audio Production Awards, and won Podcast Of The Year in 2024 for an investigation into audio porn. David is also a long standing board member of the trade body Audio UK. 

For any queries about the competition, please contact Alex Coke (alex.coke@humanities.ox.ac.uk)