About

Launched in 2000, BIRSt (Bournemouth Internet Radio Station) is a unique, award-winning ‘on-demand’ radio and audio platform delivering audio content and live radio.  BIRSt was also the first ever UK student run internet radio station and has an archive of work covering all the content made for the station. 

BIRSt was conceived by the poet, broadcaster and the UK’s first professor of Radio, Sean Street and supported in development by Alan Brown. Now in it’s 20th year, BIRSt has provided innovative, thought-provoking and award-winning audio and radio on demand. We have spanned many changes in radio and audio production, in industry and technology, indicated by our growing archive .

We are very proud of our family of radio alumni. As an award winning station, BIRSt has produced graduates who have gone on to work for the BBC, Commercial and Community Stations and independent production companies including Somethin’ Else, Wise Buddah, Falling Tree, UBC, Smooth Operations and also as freelance portfolio producers across a range of media and arts content. Work by MA Radio Production students has been recognised and received awards from Third Coast Festival, Charles Parker Prize and the New York Radio Awards.

BIRSt also contains content from our undergraduate courses, expect to hear audio drama, podcasts and storytelling from BA (Hons) Media Production students and others in 2020.  As a base for radio and audio practice research, BIRSt provides a link to many innovative projects and thinking from our PGR and teaching communities. 

Managed by MA Radio Production students annually, BIRSt provides a platform for radio and audio work that compliments the course. Each year, BIRSt pushes the boundaries of what we now consider to be radio broadcast, through different perspectives but consistent with the developments in industry and content. Join our Facebook Group and Twitter @Radio_BU to stay in touch, 

BIRSt’s aim is to produce and curate creative, innovative and interactive audio from students at BU – wherever you wish to listen.  Take time and enjoy our first audio of 2020, with some very special guests.  Thanks to Rob Munday and Neil Goridge for helping create the website and images for BIRSt20.