BBC Academy Live presents BBC Verify on Tour - Watch again
Watch back previous talks from the BBC Verify on Tour events
Watch again: Production Q&As
From dramas to documentaries, each talk focus on different genres and content, giving exclusive behind the scenes insights into how productions work. This includes the variety of roles and how ideas are pitched and commissioned, and what it's like working on a live set.
Behind the scenes of Sunderland 'Til I Die
University of Sunderland, 14 November 2025
Made by production company Fulwell 73, who have an office at the University of Sunderland, the three-part documentary series chronicles Sunderland AFC’s journey back to the Championship through their League One play-off final win against Wycombe Wanderers. Director, Ben Riad and BBC Journalist and Sunderland Commentator, Nick Barnes, talk about storytelling, connecting with audiences and the importance of trust when filming a documentary.
Panellists
- Ben Riad, Director
- Nick Barnes, BBC Journalist and Sunderland Commentator,
Hosted by
- Emma Millen, Presenter of BBC Upload across the North East, Podcaster and Content Creator
Production Masterclass with Optomen and Tommy *The Good*The Bad*The Fury
University of Lancashire, 3 December 2025
Tommy *The Good*The Bad*The Fury is a BBC Three documentary that follows Tommy Fury's comeback year, made by production company Optomen, who are renowned for their hit reality and talent-led shows featuring stars like Tyson Fury and Molly-Mae Hague.
CEO Nick Hornby and Tommy’s manager, Jake Lee from Alpha Talent Group, discuss the process of documentary making, and share the highs and lows of filming.
Panellists
- Nick Hornby – CEO, Optomen
- Jake Lee – Manager, Tommy Fury
Hosted by
- Molly Brewer, Journalist and Presenter, BBC North West Tonight
Behind the scenes of Heartstopper *coming soon*
Swansea University, 23 January 2026
Panellists
- Euros Lyn - Executive Producer & Director: Heartstopper
- Hannah Williams - Business Advisor, BBC Scripted Drama
Hosted by
- Luke Davies, Presenter
This exclusive masterclass offers a unique glimpse into the creative world of the TV show Heartstopper, that’s based on the young adult fiction novels written by Alice Oseman.
Directed by Euros Lyn (Welsh Film and TV Director), Euros talks about bringing this amazing story to life. From the all-important casting and the collaborative process amongst the cast and crew that helped to bring this authentic teen experiences to the screen.
Also on the panel is Hannah Williams, Business Advisor, BBC Scripted Drama who talks about drama production and the importance of regional production and jobs.
Cloaks, Daggers, and Dressmaking with the NFTS *coming soon*
University of Strathclyde, 25 February 2026
A storytelling masterclass around the BBC's The Traitors and The Great British Sewing Bee. Hear about the role of the story producer and the producer, and how these shows keep us on the edge of our seats and why they're so popular
Panellists
- Cheryl Richardson - Story Producer: The Great British Sewing Bee
- Rebecca Morris (Studio Lambert) - Producer: The Traitors
Hosted by
Sarah McMullan, Senior Reporter, BBC Reporting Scotland
TV formats: Shortform and Social Content with RuPaul’s Drag Race UK *coming soon*
University of Nottingham, 25 March 2026
Step into the world of television formats with this insightful masterclass focusing on BBC hit RuPaul’s Drag Race UK from the perspective of Shortform and Social Content. Hear from the BBC Three team who make attention grabbing shortform content for Drag Race UK audiences, on screens large and small. Plus special guest, Queen Zahirah Zapanta from series six of RuPaul's Drag Race UK and the third series of RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs. The World.
Panellists
- Jaden Glendon, Editor TV Social – Edit Hub, BBC Three
- Oliver Clark, BBC Producer TV Social – Edit Hub, BBC Three
- Zahirah Zapanta, RuPaul's Drag Race UK
Hosted by
Harry Stevens, Journalist, broadcaster and podcast host
Watch again: Media Careers Panels
Each career talk has a different panel of media industry professionals sharing their career journey, what their role is and practical tips to help you kick-start your own path in the media.
University of Sunderland, 14 November 2025
Panellists
- Thomas Copeland - Journalist, BBC Verify
- Callum Rowe - Freelance Journalist and Radio Producer
- Harry Roy - Sports Radio Journalist, BBC
- Grace Stewart-Piercy - Broadcast Journalist and Head of Speech, Spark Radio
- Gayle Woodruffe - Operations Director, North East Screen
Host by
Emma Millen, Presenter of BBC Upload across the North East, Podcaster and Content Creator
University of Lancashire University, 3 December 2025
Panellists
- Holly Bacon - Freelance Sports Journalist
- Jess Martin -Development Trainee Apprentice, BBC Studios Kids & Family
- Aidan McNamee - Data Journalist, BBC Verify
- Ben Rooth – Sport Content Producer, BBC Radio Sheffield
- Holly White - Digital Content Officer, Wigan Athletic Community Trust
Hosted by
Molly Brewer, Journalist and Presenter, BBC North West Tonight
Swansea University, 23 January 2026 *coming soon*
Panellists
- Beth Alaw Williams - BBC Wales News Journalist and former BBC Journalism apprentice and Swansea University alumni
- Jenny Taylor - BBC Public Engagement Apprentice
- Lucy Gilder - BBC Verify Journalist
- Sian Collyer - Production Executive, Growing Potential, BBC
- Sophie Davis - Deputy Head of Media, Swansea City Football Club and Swansea University alumni
- Terel Edmunds - BBC News Apprentice
Host by
Luke Davies, Presenter
University of Strathclyde, 25 February 2026 *coming soon*
Panellists
- Alison Goring – Head of NFTS Scotland
- Declan McConville - Digital Journalist, Glasgow World
- Rebecca Garvey - Marketing & Communications, Kings Theatre Glasgow
- Daniella Theis - DC Thomson Features Journalist
- Jennifer Wilson - Apprentice, BBC News & Current Affairs Scotland
Host by
Sarah McMullan, Senior Reporter, BBC Reporting Scotland
University of Nottingham, 25 March 2026 *coming soon*
Panellists
- Aiden McNamee – Data Journalist, BBC Verify
- Allison Hinds – Outreach Schemes Specialist, Early Careers Team, BBC Academy
- Shannon Sumecki – BBC Journalist and University of Nottingham Alumni
- Summaya Mughal – BBC Radio Nottingham Breakfast Presenter
Host by
Harry Stevens, Journalist, broadcaster and podcast host
