A diverse group of researchers - graduates of the Media Academy - stood in a group photo on some steps

Imperial As One Media Academy

The award-winning communications training for minority ethnic researchers will be running again in April-May 2026. Applications opening soon.

The Imperial As One Media Academy (IAO Media Academy) provides expert communications training for ethnically minoritised researchers who remain underrepresented in the media and wider public sphere. Building skills across a wide range of communications areas, 138 people have graduated from the award-winning programme, with many going on to feature in national and international media outlets, appearing on podcasts and launching their own blogs.

Feature

“This is just the beginning”

Celebrating the success of five years of the Imperial As One Media Academy

Discover our impact

Discover how the Media Academy is creating space for more diverse expert voices in science communication

Effective communication is essential for scientists to build public trust and showcase how science benefits people and society. But the voices that represent science in the public sphere are overwhelmingly White. This, coupled with the fact that Black academic staff make up only 1 per cent of professors in the UK, perpetuates the false perception that Black and minority ethnic researchers make little or no contribution to scientific discovery and research. The Media Academy exists to change that.

Pros Awards

In 2025, the IAO Media Academy won Public Sector Campaign of the Year at The Pros Awards, celebrating inclusive communications work in the UK.
(Photo by Rob Greig)

2025 winners

Dareen Marghlani in an IAO Media Academy workshop

Times Higher Education

In 2024, the programme was shortlisted for Outstanding Contribution to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion by Times Higher Education (THE) and the organising committee wrote a piece for THE on how Black and minority ethnic researchers can build their profiles.

THE article

Committee receiving certificates at an awards ceremony

President's Award

Internally, the programme was recognised in 2024 with an Imperial President’s Award for Excellence in Culture and Community.

2024 winners

Through the Media Academy, over 100 BME researchers and PhD students have been trained to share their expertise, helping to amplify their voices both inside and outside academia. It is fantastic to see this work rightly recognised on a national stage. A huge thank you to the whole Imperial As One Media Academy team for their enthusiasm, vision and dedication to this programme. Professor Mary Ryan Vice-Provost (Research and Enterprise)

IAO Media Academy 2026

The next IAO Media Academy will take place in April-May 2026 with applications opening in early 2026. Complete our expression of interest form to be the first to know.