Manon Dave, Creative Technologist and leader of BBC R&D’s new FWD team, joins us to introduce their mission and mindset. He discusses the importance of supporting the creator economy and why it will be an essential part of the BBC’s public service remit. From “TV moments” in a fragmented landscape to exploring how AI can meaningfully augment creative workflows, and unpack true innovation, we examine how BBC FWD is shaping fresh opportunities for storytellers, and what it takes to build a future where technology elevates creativity rather than replaces it.

Follow the links below to learn more about the things mentioned in this episode:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/articles/2026-03-creators-economy-rights-distributed-ledger-music

https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/articles/2026-03-phare/

https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/articles/2026-02-technology-trends-new-experiences-young-people

https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/articles/2025-09-news-content-verification-credentials-trust

https://c2pa.org

Colleagues we mentioned in this episode:
Jatin Aythora – Director

Antonia Kerle – Chief Technical Advisor (Antonia’s Episode)

Find us on:
Website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd
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In this episode of Inside R&D, Joseph sits down with Chris Northwood, former Senior Research Technologist, whose work helped shape some of the organisation’s most forward‑thinking tools, workflows, and production technologies. Together, they explore the full journey from early concepts to industry‑defining products, and what it really takes to move innovation beyond the lab. If you’ve ever wondered why public service values still matter in a world driven by rapid commercial tech cycles, Chris offers compelling answers.

Follow the links below to learn more about the things mentioned in this episode:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/projects/cake

https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/object-based-media

https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/projects/object-based-media-toolkit

https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/blog/2017-11-running-an-ip-studio

https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/topics/artificial-intelligence-machine-learning/

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Website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd
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Jon Page, former Head of Technology Strategy at BBC R&D, reflects on the pioneering internet‑based production workflows and audience‑shaping innovations he helped steer during his 13‑year tenure. He shares how long‑term thinking, a deep commitment to public‑service values, and close collaboration with entrepreneurial partners enabled R&D to influence industry standards and anticipate technological shifts. Together, we explore how BBC R&D continues to shape the future of media for the public good.

Follow the links below to learn more about the things mentioned in this episode:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/blog/2019-01-ip-production-standards-interoperability-facilities

https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/topics/ip-production

https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/articles/2025-12-immersive-interactive-live-music-experiences

https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/articles/2024-09-immersive-augmented-virtual-reality-metaverse-3d

Find us on:
Website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd
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From pioneering VR experiences to shaping the future of interactive content, Rebecca Gregory-Clarke reflects on her journey through BBC R&D and beyond. We discuss how bold ideas like immersive storytelling and audience participation redefined innovation, and why risk is essential for reward. Rebecca shares her insights on collaboration, creative technology, and the principles that still guide her work today, from experimental projects to industry game-changers.

Follow the links below to learn more about the things mentioned in this episode:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/taster/pilots/we-wait

https://www.bbc.co.uk/taster/pilots/click-360-cern

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_OeQxoKocU

https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/blog/2014-07-bbc-rd-at-the-commonwealth-games-2014

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Experimental ideas are often the ones that cause the biggest changes in the media industry. Former head of applied research, Production, Graham Thomas, pioneered many of those innovations during his 40 years in BBC R&D. From sports graphics and virtual studios to object‑based audio and AI‑driven production, Graham reflects on the 93 years of BBC R&D's impact, the culture that enables long‑term innovation, and why asking the right questions matters as much as answering them.

Follow the links below to learn more about the things mentioned in this episode:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/blog/2011-04-the-queens-award-winning-piero-sports-graphics-system

https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/publications/whitepaper181

https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/blog/2009-11-the-ingex-project-an-introduction

Find us on:
Website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd
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In this episode of Inside R&D, we sit down with Jigna Chandaria, former BBC R&D Engineer and now Head of Sustainability at the BBC. Jigna shares her journey from pioneering sustainability research within R&D to shaping the BBC’s broader sustainability strategy today. Discover how innovation and responsibility intersect, and what it takes to make media more sustainable for the future.

Follow the links below to learn more about the things mentioned in this episode:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/publications/whp372_behavioural_data_environment_impact_electricity_consumption_tv_platforms

https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/publications/research-393-energy-footprint-bbc-radio-environment-impact-sustainability

https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/articles/2020-09-sustainability-video-energy-streaming-broadcast

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sustainability/

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Join us as we celebrate BBC R&D’s recent Emmy win with Chris Pike, research scientist at Sonos and former R&D engineer. Chris shares his journey through groundbreaking audio research, the magic behind immersive soundscapes, and what the future holds for BBC R&D.

Follow the links below to learn more about the things mentioned in this episode:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/blog/2016-05-virtual-reality-sound-in-the-turning-forest

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p03tqfs1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kKLm_9DrYA

Find us on:

Website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd

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In this final episode of Inside R&D’s inaugural series, Joseph Turner is joined by Nigel Earnshaw, an R&D Engineer, to demystify decentralised, distributed ledger technology (DLT). We explore why this tech has captured global attention, the risks that are emerging around it, and how it might have the potential to solve real world problems and even benefit the media industry. From creator remuneration to misinformation, we ask: can blockchain be a force for public good? And what role could the BBC play in shaping its ethical future?

Follow the links below to learn more about the things mentioned in this episode:

https://downloads.bbc.co.uk/rd/pubs/whp/whp-pdf-files/WHP408.pdf

https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/publications/distributed-ledger-technologies-dlts-and-the-bbc

https://ethereum.org/en/

https://soneium.org/en/

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-56371912

Thanks to:

Hell Raymond-Hayling – Video Assistant

Ben Hughes – Production Assistant

Alan Archer-Boyd – Production Assistant

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Website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd

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