Tutor in Broadcast and Digital Media

Mary Ferguson is the Tutor in Broadcast and Digital Media within the School of Culture and Communications at the University of Bedfordshire.

Prior to joining Higher Education in 2011, I worked for over 23 years in BBC NEWS.

Directly before joining the University, I was previously the Head of Operations for BBC Persian TV where I helped launch the new channel, and prior to that, Deputy Manager (Editing) for all of TV News at Television Centre in London.

My craft is that of News Picture Editor, where I worked with many top reporters and correspondents to produce news cut stories for BBC National News (BBC at One, Six and Ten) , including Breakfast News and Newsnight. I also edited many long form programmes such as BBC's Public Eye and On the Record.

I've covered many interesting stories and events and now I teach young students how to become journalists.

Whilst I trained in cameras, lighting, and video editing I also worked as a Senior Broadcast Journalist Special Projects, on the launch of new channels such as BBC World, BBC Interactive and ultimately BBC Persian TV, World Service.

I'm extremely interested in Smartphone or 'Mobile' Journalism, and bring this into my teaching, encouraging students to work with new emerging technologies. I'm also proud of our up to date digital newsroom and studio, using new technology to emulate professional practice. In 2019 I was awarded the Vice Chancellors Student Experience Award for Outstanding Use of Technology in Teaching.

As an industry professional, whilst I enjoy teaching our students in Journalism, it's important to prepare them for employability after graduation and I ensure through industry practice in the classroom and news studio that they are ready!

Other than that, I enjoy oil painting, up-cycling old furniture and opera!