Film studies expert is BBC New Generation Thinker

Dr Sarah Louise Smyth, a film studies researcher at the University of Essex, has won an exclusive opportunity to be researcher-in-residence on BBC Radio 4 show Front Row.

She is one of six university researchers to be announced winners of the New Generation Thinkers competition, run by the BBC and the Arts and Humanities Research Council.

The highly competitive initiative identifies early career researchers with a passion for sharing ideas and talent for engaging public audiences through the media. Winners work with Radio 4 programme makers to bring new ideas and the latest academic scholarship to audiences.

Selected from hundreds of applicants, the six winners represent some of the brightest emerging minds in their fields. They will collaborate with four Radio 4 teams who work on programmes such as Free Thinking and Thinking Allowed, weekly science programmes, Front Row and Woman’s Hour.

The all-women group of 2025 winners also include University of Essex graduate Ashleigh Percival-Borley, a British Army veteran who served in Afghanistan and a military historian now based at Durham University.

Dr Smyth said: “I am delighted to be selected as a New Generation Thinker, alongside an impressive group of early career researchers. My research aims to highlight and rethink the work of women filmmakers.

“Being a researcher-in-residence at the BBC allows me to bring this research to a large audience – a truly unique and exciting opportunity. I am looking forward to developing programmes with Front Row and participating in wider discussions about women’s filmmaking.”

Speaking about Dr Smyth’s achievement, Professor Chris Greer, Essex’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor Research, said: “The New Generation Thinkers programme is highly prestigious and an excellent opportunity for young researchers to influence debate while getting the best media training available. It’s also highly competitive, which makes Sarah’s tremendous achievement all the more impressive.

“Sarah’s selection is testament to her ambition, commitment to her subject and natural talent for communicating. She is an inspiring lecturer and researcher making a significant contribution to the understanding of women filmmakers and I’m excited to hear her share her ideas on the airwaves in the future.”

Matthew Dodd, Commissioning Editor, Arts, BBC Radio 4, said: "As the biggest speech radio station in the UK, Radio 4 is thrilled to introduce six brilliant early-career academics to such a broad audience. Their commitment to reaching the wider public with their research will enrich Radio 4’s programming, delivering new perspectives that inspire and challenge.”

Professor Christopher Smith, AHRC Executive Chair said: “New Generation Thinkers communicate fascinating ideas to the public, expanding our cultural, social and philosophical horizons while prompting important conversations.

“I look forward to see what these six brilliant, original thinkers can produce with the resources of the BBC at their fingertips.”

Header picture courtesy of Chris Lacey Photography.