About

I am an Associate Professor and Head of Discipline in Journalism at the University of Derby. My research focuses on diversity, inclusion and race in journalism practice and representation, radio, diaspora, and ethnic media. I have published articles on the management of race on-air and behind the scenes of the BBC. My book The BBC Asian Network, The Cultural Production of Diversity was published in 2021 and examines these issues in greater detail.

I have worked in Higher Education for more than 10 years. Before this, I worked as a radio journalist both reporting and producing for various BBC radio stations.

Teaching responsibilities

I teach both undergraduate and postgraduate students. I have taught radio journalism, news writing, podcasting and modules that examine the role of journalism in society, representation, audiences and ethics.

I also supervise PhD students.

Professional interests

My work adopts a production approach to understanding how people practice journalism and the impact this has on representation and the understanding in society of different groups. I am particularly interested in exploring how diversity and inclusion strategies are changing journalism practices. Relatedly, I am interested in how minoritised groups access media platforms to articulate their perspectives.

Research interests

My research interests are race, diversity, journalism, public service broadcasting (BBC) and minority media. 

I am happy to supervise prospective PhD candidates in the following areas:

• Journalism practice, representation, ethics
• Journalism education
• Radio and podcast studies 
• Minority Media 
• Production of media content

Membership of professional bodies

• Senior Fellow of Higher Education Academy (HEA)
• Media, Communication and Cultural Studies Association

Qualifications

• PhD, Delivering a Public Service? The BBC Asian Network and British Asian audiences
• De Montfort University, Postgradate Certificate in Higher Education, De Montfort University
• Post Graduate Diploma Broadcast Journalism, City University
• BSc Hons Politics and History Brunel University

Recent conferences

Conference paper 'Enabling Students to decolonise change through Journalism Practice' with Dr Giuliana Tiripelli, DMU. Future of Journalism Conference, Cardiff University, 2021

Conference paper 'Decolonising Journalism Practice'. Association of Journalism Education, February 2021

Conference paper 'Diversity and Change in the BBC' MIKOPA Public Media in Post Migrant Germany. A Dialogue for participatory change, November 2020

Conference paper 'Producing Diversity in BBC Radio,' Research Institute for Cultural and Media Economies (CAMEO), University of Leicester, September 2019

Conference Paper 'Producing diversity in BBC Radio' European Communication Research and Education Association, Sienna, September 2019

Conference paper 'Framing the Nation', Discourses of Immigration and Citizenship from Windrush to Brexit, DMU June 2019

Conference paper 'The Image of Muslims in the Creative Industries: Racism and Representation' Media, Communication and Cultural Studies Association (MeCCSA) Annual Conference, Stirling University, January 2019

Conference paper 'British Asian audiences inter-generational change and identity' Media Discourse Centre, Surveillance, Social Media and Identity, DMU, October 2018

Experience in industry

I have worked in a number of roles for a ten-year period between 2004 and 2012, including reporting for BBC Asian Network and Radio 1, Newsbeat. I also produced You and Yours on Radio 4. Produced documentaries for BBC Asian Network, 1xtra and Radio 4.

Recent publications

Aujla-Sidhu, G. (2021) The BBC Asian Network The Cultural Production of Diversity, 2021, Palgrave Macmillan: London

Aujla-Sidhu, G. (2020) Producing Diversity in BBC Radio. Radio Journal: International Studies in Broadcast and audio, Vol. 18:1, May 2020

Aujla-Sidhu, G. (2019) The BBC Asian Network, the search for younger digital listeners in Matsaganis, M. and Yu, S. (ed.) (2019) Ethnic Media in the digital age, Routledge

Aujla-Sidhu, G. (2017) How to serve British Asian communities? The dilemmas facing the BBC. Radio Journal: International studies in Broadcast and audio, Vol. 15:1, May 2017

Aujla-Sidhu, G. (2016) Public Service Broadcasting: The challenge of representing ethnic minority audiences. For(E)Dialogue, 1 (1), pp. 40-51