The move to No. 2 Central Square will create an industry-academic interface, putting the School at the heart of a vibrant media environment in Cardiff city centre, says the University.
The School’s relocation will build stronger industry links, boosting students’ employability by providing direct access to major media organisations within journalism as well as the creative and cultural industries.
The relocation is part of a wider £260m investment by the University to transform its student experience. In total, the University says it is investing £600m over the coming years to provide students with world class facilities in the largest campus upgrade in a generation.
The School and BBC Wales have a working relationship stretching back decades, thanks to a long-standing programme of professional training journalism internships. A number of the School’s alumni have gone on to prominent roles as BBC journalists during their careers, including Jason Mohammad, Alan Johnston, Laura Trevelyan, Manish Bhasin, Ben Brown and Behnaz Akhgar.
This newly strengthened partnership will aim to offer an exchange of knowledge and experience, as well as sharing cutting-edge facilities, research and resources. A number of joint initiatives are being developed to build the partnership, with full details to be revealed closer to the move.
Professor Stuart Allan, Head of Cardiff University’s School of Journalism, Media and Cultural Studies, said: “The School of Journalism, Media and Cultural Studies is one of the leading Schools in the UK and internationally. The BBC’s global reputation for media production, together with the innovative design of the new buildings, will make this a centre for excellence that will be genuinely world-class.
“This is an exciting opportunity, and the School is striving to make the most of it for the benefit of our University and its students as well as for Cardiff as the creative capital of Wales.”
Rhodri Talfan Davies, Director of BBC Wales, said: “I really can’t imagine a better partner to have right alongside us at Central Square. Both organisations share such a long-standing commitment to journalism and creativity, and the vital role both play at the heart of our national life.
Today’s exciting announcement will enable us to deepen our partnership – and work together to train and develop the next generation of journalists and media professionals.”
Architects IBI have been commissioned to design the layout and interior design of the School, which is set to include a 300 seat lecture theatre, six newsrooms, dedicated editing suites, TV and radio studios, postgraduate research space, a library and innovation and stakeholder engagement labs, amongst other features. The University’s Centre for Community Journalism will also move into the new building.
Architect, Richard Golledge from IBI Group said: “Our Learning+ team is privileged to have been selected to design what will be a flagship learning environment; a place that inspires the next generation of national and international journalists to succeed. As local architects that design leading education estates globally, we are proud to be contributing to the excellent reputation, the city and Cardiff University has gained for first-class education facilities.”
Paul McCarthy, Chief Executive of Rightacres Property, the company behind the Central Square Development said: “Cardiff University’s School of Journalism, Media and Cultural Studies is recognised throughout the world as one of the leading media teaching establishments and their investment in a new faculty building at Central Square that will incorporate some of the latest technical facilities will give the University a highly visible profile. Their commitment to the development ensures continued construction momentum of the regeneration project and underpins a significant number of construction jobs at Central Square.”
Work began on the superstructure of No. 2 Central Square in November 2016 with the initial stages of the School’s layout and interior work due to begin in August 2017. The School is currently based at the Bute Building, in the civic centre.
