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
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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/articles/2020-09-sustainability-video-energy-streaming-broadcast
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sustainability/
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Website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd
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X: https://x.com/bbcrd
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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
Mastadon: https://social.bbc/@BBCRD
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://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-56371912
Thanks to:
Hell Raymond-Hayling – Video Assistant
Ben Hughes – Production Assistant
Alan Archer-Boyd – Production Assistant
Find us on:
Website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd
Mastadon: https://social.bbc/@BBCRD
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BBCResearchAndDevelopment/
Why does the BBC have an R&D department? In this episode, we’re joined by Antonia Kerle, Chief Technology Advisor, to uncover the origins, purpose, and impact of BBC R&D. From pioneering broadcast tech to advising on emerging technologies, this team ensures the BBC evolves with audience habits and tech trends. Discover how R&D helps the BBC stay relevant, innovative, and committed to its public service mission in a rapidly changing media landscape.
Follow the links below to learn more about the things mentioned in this episode:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/articles/5is-ai-internet-interactive-immersive-intermediated-technology
https://www.bbc.co.uk/commissioning/ideas/
https://www.bbcstudios.com/what-we-do/content-studio/
Thanks to:
Hell Raymond-Hayling – Video Assistant
Ben Hughes – Production Assistant
Alan Archer-Boyd – Production Assistant
Find us on:
Website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd
Mastadon: https://social.bbc/@BBCRD
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BBCResearchAndDevelopment/
In this episode of Inside R&D, Joseph Turner speaks to Alice Weavers from the Responsible Innovation Centre for Public Media Futures (RIC) about reimagining youth engagement in media. The Responsible Innovation Centre is an independent research centre hosted by the BBC and funded by UKRI, a non-governmental public body that directs UK research and innovation funding. From co-creating content to reshaping policy, they explore how involving young people directly can transform public service media. Discover why ethical innovation starts with listening—and how the BBC can lead the way.
In this episode of Inside R&D, Tom Potter joins Joseph Turner to explore how the BBC is using AI to enhance journalism, accessibility, and public service media. Diving deeper into large language models (LLMs), the challenges of ensuring factual accuracy, and the importance of aligning AI tools with BBC values. From assisting our journalists to transcribing sports commentary and improving accessibility, this episode offers a transparent look at the BBC’s thoughtful approach to AI innovation.
Follow the links below to learn more about the things mentioned in this episode:https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/publications...
https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/202...
https://www.bbc.co.uk/aboutthebbc/rep...
https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/articles/202...
https://www.bbc.co.uk/aboutthebbc/rep...
https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/topics/artif...Find us on:Website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/rdMastadon: https://social.bbc/@BBCRDX: https://x.com/bbcrdFacebook: https://facebook.com/bbcresearchanddevelopment
In this episode of Inside R&D, we dive into BBC R&D’s ground-breaking efforts to tackle misinformation and restore the trust in media and news. Host Joseph Turner sits down with Principal Research Engineer Charlie Halford to explore how content credentials, open standards like C2PA, and innovative verification tools are helping journalists prove the authenticity of their stories. From deepfakes to AI-generated images, discover how BBC R&D is building the future of trustworthy news.
Follow the links below to learn more about the things mentioned in this episode:
https://time.com/collection/best-inventions-2024/
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/bbcverify
https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/articles/2024-03-c2pa-verification-news-journalism-credentials
https://www.bbc.com/mediacentre/2024/content-credentials-bbc-verify
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ofj4cb1J_I
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Website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd
Mastadon: https://social.bbc/@BBCRD
In this thought-provoking debut episode, Joseph Turner sits down with Natasha Westland from BBC R&D's Blue Room - our team of consumer technology experts - to explore the fast-moving world of generative AI. From creative possibilities to ethical dilemmas, Natasha shares insights on both the promise and the pitfalls of AI’s growing influence across industries.
Follow the links below to learn more about the things mentioned in this episode:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/blog/2015-01-the-ethics-of-data-videos
https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/articles/2023-04-ai-real-authenticity-generative-media
https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/articles/cloud-computing-energy-monitoring-footprint
https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/articles/2025-05-ai-agents-challenges-summary
Find us on:
Website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd
Mastadon: https://social.bbc/@BBCRD
Inside R&D