Join award-winning producer for international women’s day talk

Emmy and BAFTA award-winning producer Olwyn Silvester will lift the curtain on her career in a free online talk next week.

Staffordshire University is hosting special online event “Why I #ChooseToChallenge!” to mark International Women’s Day on Monday 8 March.

Honorary graduate Olwyn will reflect on her experiences of working in the film and television industry and the continuing efforts to challenge sexism and unacceptable behaviours that exist on and off screen.

Olwyn explained: “I am very proud to be part of the #ChooseToChallenge campaign for IWD and delighted to be doing that with my friends at Staffordshire University. Things have improved enormously for women in the film and TV industry. However, resistance continues and it’s not yet a level playing field, and so the fight for true equality continues.”

Originally from Hartshill, Olwyn began her broadcasting career answering phones at BBC Radio Stoke and is now a Producer and Managing Director of London-based film and TV company Bedlam.

Her credits include several landmark documentaries with Sir David Attenborough, the highly-regarded Trial and Error on Channel 4, and multiple series for the BBC, National Geographic, History, Discovery and other channels.

In 2019, Olwyn received Staffordshire University’s highest honour in recognition of her leading and influential role in the UK film and TV industry. It also acknowledged her drive and passion for developing young female talent, through mentoring, providing trainee opportunities and as a role model.

Olwyn said: “Throughout my career there have been key moments when senior women in the industry have given me a break and encouraged me to take the next professional step. I try very hard to do the same, to pay it forward.”

The theme for International Women’s Day 2021 #ChooseToChallenge encourages everyone to call out gender bias and inequality and to seek out and celebrate women's achievements. Organisations and individuals can show support by raising their hands high in the Choose To Challenge pose on social media using #ChooseToChallenge #IWD2021.

University Events Manager Klaudia Tomkowiak added: “We’re thrilled to welcome back Olwyn for International Women’s Day. As one of the leading female executives in UK film and TV, Olwyn is a fantastic role model and I’m sure many people will be inspired by her commitment to develop greater female representation in the industry.

“As this year’s theme states ‘from challenge comes change’, so let's all choose to challenge and put our hands up high!”

Register now for “Why I #ChooseToChallenge!” at 6 - 7pm on Monday 8 March 2021. We will send joining instructions prior to the event to the email address that you register with.

Amy Platts

Media Communications Officer

t: 01782 292702

m: 07799 341911

e: amy.platts@staffs.ac.uk

Staffordshire University is the Connected University; connected to the needs of students, academic partners, business and society. Our main city campus in Stoke-on-Trent features excellent learning and teaching facilities and good transport links. We have specialist Centres of Excellence in Healthcare Education at Stafford and Shrewsbury.  

We were recognised with a Gold award in the 2019 Teaching Excellence and Student Outcomes Framework (TEF) for delivering consistently outstanding teaching, learning and outcomes for students.  

We were shortlisted for University of the Year at the THE Awards 2020 and were named ‘Midlands University of the Year’ at the Midlands Business Awards 2020. 
 
Staffordshire University has signed up to the Civic University Agreement, pledging to play a leading role in improving the regional economy and enhancing quality of life in local communities. We were recognised in the top 15 for social inclusion in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2021. We aim to be a leading university for digital technologies building on our proud computing heritage and in 2019 launched Staffordshire University London’s Digital Institute which is committed to preparing students for careers in new and emerging tech industries. 

We are a Top 250 Young University (Times Higher Education Young University Rankings 2020) and are connected globally, with more than 11,000 people studying Staffordshire University degrees overseas.