Teaching Media Production: Understanding Unconscious Bias in Creative Idea Development

Drawing on initial findings based on observations, surveys and interviews with a range of new entrants and established television professionals, carried out during an 18 month period working with a talent development scheme, we discuss the perspectives these findings have given us on teaching practices within our own institutions and how we are seeking to bring these insights into changing these practices. In particular we discuss the way that the presence of unconscious bias and assumed consensus within the idea development process can reinforce structural inequalities, militating against the aims of broadcasters to produce a truly diverse range of programmes. We propose that it is equally important for media educators to be aware of the presence of unconscious bias and of ways of tackling it in relation to creative idea development within the academy. We discuss both the barriers and potential solutions for an inclusive approach to the idea development process

Recognising and addressing unconscious bias and structural inequalities

This article examines the idea development process within the UK television industry and raises the question of who has power and agency within it. Recently, there has been much discussion within the television industry about the commercial and social imperative for greater diversity, inclusion and risk taking in programme making, in order to both represent and appeal to contemporary audiences. However, our research suggests that there is at the same time a sense of disempowerment, a feeling that television culture itself is inhibiting this change and that individuals can do little to influence it. Building on existing research in the creative industries, this case study draws on observations, interviews and surveys carried out within the context of a talent development scheme and wider consultation with television development professionals. We will discuss the reasons for these contradictory currents of feeling, including the ways in which unconscious bias may operate to perpetuate inequalities and exclusions. Our article proposes that recognising and addressing unconscious bias within the idea development process is an important element in the wider process of tackling structural inequality in the television industry through collective action and institutional chang

Natural Radioactivity and Hazards in Soil Samples in Alade Community, Southwestern Nigeria

The concentrations of natural radionuclides in Alade community, Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area were determined using gamma ray spectrometer comprising a 7.6 cm x 7.6 cm Nal(TI) detector coupled to a multichannel analyser for spectral analysis. A total of 20 soil samples were collected from different locations in Alade community, Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government, Ogun state, Nigeria. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics. The activity concentration obtained were in ranges of 45.62 ± 2.53 Bq/kg to 665.25 ± 35.11 Bq/kg with mean value of 352.34 ± 18.67 Bq/kg for 40K, 2.32 ± 0.47 to 54.56 ± 6.20 Bq/kg with mean value of 19.86 ± 2.56 Bq/kg for 238U and 4.34 ± 0.28 Bq/kg to 23.10 ± 1.40 Bq/kg with mean value of 14.22 ± 0.87 Bq/kg for 232Th. The study evaluated radiation hazard indices, the mean values obtained were, 64.55 ± 5.05 Bq/kg for Radium equivalent activity (Raeq), 32.86 ± 2.53 nGyh-1 for Absorbed Dose Rate (D), 40.30 ± 3.10 µSvy-1 for Annual Effective Dose Equivalent (AEDE), 0.18 ± 0.01 for External Hazard Index (Hex) and 0.22 ± 0.02 for Internal Hazard Index (Hin). These calculated hazard indices were well below their permissible limit. The results obtained for the mean activity concentrations values from 20 soil samples from Alade community, revealed that 40K, 238U and 232Th values were below the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation recommended international limits of 370Bq/kg and within the tolerance level indicating minimal radiological health burden on the Alade community and its environment

Distribution of radionuclides and assessment of risk exposure to the miners on a kaolin field

Mining of kaolin deposits are common in Nigeria without considering the background radiation in such environment and the health risks it might pose on the miners. In this study, in-situ measurements of the naturally occurring radionuclides were carried out with the aim of determining the distribution of these radionuclides on the mining field and estimation of the hazard indices exposure risks (γ- and α-radiation risks) to the miners. The study was achieved with the aid of gamma ray detector Super-Spec (RS-125) and global positioning system. The detector used has ability to measure activity concentrations of 238U, 232Th and 40K and gamma doses. For the purpose of this study, only the concentrations of the three radionuclides were considered. For each location, measurements were taken four times, while its mean value was estimated for better accuracy. In all, nineteen locations were occupied in order to cover the study area. Basic kriging method was adopted for the production of spatial distribution of these radionuclides and their corresponding γ- and α-radiation hazard indices. The mean values of 238U, 232Th and 40K are 46.7, 71.8 and 108.7 Bq kg-1 , respectively. When compared to the global standard, it was revealed that 238U and 232Th are greater than the global standard, while 40K fall below the permissible limit. The γ- and α-radiation exposure risks estimated revealed that the mean values of Iγ and Iα are 0.6 and 0.2 respectively. Though the estimated γ- and α-radiation indices showed that the kaolin field is safe for the miners, periodic check is required in order to monitor the rate at which these natural primordial radionuclides (238U and 232Th and their progenies) are being enhanced