Academics In The Industry: UCFB lecturers working in Paris for 2024 Olympic Games

Two members of UCFB’s academic staff are heading out to Paris this summer, working at the 2024 Summer Olympic Games.

UCFB Wembley lecturers Tom Skippings and Jo Johnston will both be working for the Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS), on the media side of the Paris Games.

The OBS is responsible for delivering coverage of every sport at every venue at the games to billions of viewers across the globe through media rights holders, both radio and television.

Through this, both UCFB lecturers will be working at the International Broadcast Centre while in France for the Olympic Games.

Tom, a lecturer in BA (Hons) Multimedia Sports Journalism, said about his role at the OBS: “We will produce highlight shows and report news bulletins and packages throughout the course of the games.”

Jo, who lectures in BA (Hons) Sports Business and Sports Broadcasting, added: “I will be a producer and reporter, producing highlights, writing reports and providing the voiceover on the OBS’ 24-hour news channel.”

Both lecturers spoke about how beneficial their involvement at the top level of the elite sports industry this summer will be for the students at UCFB.

“It will benefit me as a professional journalist, and also in my development as a teacher, but it will benefit the students because of the experience and knowledge that I bring back afterwards,” Tom said.

“I have been involved in the journalism industry for many decades, but after every event you work at, you learn new things about how the industry operates, how broadcasting has developed and how coverage of major events has changed.”

“I make good contacts there,” Jo said, “I watch sport at the highest level and meet the athletes. It’s a great way for me to remain up to date and involved in the industry, and that can only serve our students.”

She added: “Broadcast and media is a constantly evolving industry. Live streaming, online platforms, 24-hour news channels. There’s more and more sport out there for us to consume.”

She finished: “Most of our lecturers are still involved in the industry. That keeps them fully up to date with what’s going on, which means they can pass on all the fresh news and new innovations in the industry.”