280 Partnerships volunteer roles

Help shape the future of media diversity in the UK 

The Sir Lenny Henry Centre for Media Diversity at Birmingham City University is seeking a Chair and up to four Advisory Board members to help shape its next phase of research, influence and growth. 

As the media landscape changes through artificial intelligence, social media, streaming and gaming, the Centre is expanding its work to understand who gets seen, heard and employed and to turn that evidence into meaningful change. 

We are looking for people who can bring strategic insight, fresh perspectives, influential networks and a commitment to independent, evidence-led research in and about the media industry. 

The Centre studies who is missing from the media. We particularly welcome applications from people under-represented on boards, including disabled people, racially minoritised people and people from working-class backgrounds. 

Voluntary and unpaid. Reasonable travel expenses paid. Three-year term, renewable once.

About 5 days a year in total. Closing date 10 January 2027.  Three Board meetings a year, mostly online. 

About the Centre 

The Sir Lenny Henry Centre for Media Diversity researches who is seen, heard and employed in the UK media. It uses that evidence to change practice and policy. Sir Lenny Henry, Marcus Ryder, Professor Diane Kemp and Marverine Cole founded it in 2020. It sits in the School of Arts at Birmingham City University. It publishes Representology with Cardiff University. 

Recent work includes Breaking (2026), on racially minoritised journalists in UK television newsrooms; UK Media Diversity Reporting 2021–2024 (2025), on how film, print, television and streaming monitor diversity; and an evaluation of the BBC Creative Diversity Fund (2024). 

Our Strategic Plan 2026 to 2031 widens the work from broadcasting to social media, artificial intelligence, streaming and games. It adds class to our work on race, gender and disability. We will fund it through foundations, research councils and partnerships.

The roles 

We are recruiting a Chair and up to three Board members. The Board guides the Centre's strategy, major decisions and activities, helps it raise money and opens doors. It also holds the Centre to the standards it asks of the media. 

Chair. You will lead the Board and work closely with the Director. You will 

• chair three meetings a year, including the annual strategy meeting, and bring the Board to clear decisions; 

• act as a sounding board for the Director between meetings, offering advice and constructive challenge; 

• when opportunities arise, speak for the Centre with funders, industry and government, and help open doors to funding; 

You will have chaired or served on a board or committee. You can lead discussion among senior people with strong views. You bring standing in the media, public life, philanthropy or higher education. You care about independent evidence. Experience in television or the screen industries is welcome. 

Board members. We want people with a genuine commitment to diversity and inclusion. We would particularly welcome experience in any of these areas, gained in any sector, not only the media: 

• Philanthropy and income. Raising money from trusts, foundations or major donors, in the UK or abroad. Experience of large research or consortium bids is welcome. 

• AI, social media and algorithmic accountability. Work in technology, digital rights, platform policy or research on how algorithms decide who is seen. 

• Equality law and policy. Expertise in equality and human rights law, public policy or regulation, and in using them to change how institutions behave. 

• Other relevant experience. Skills from any field that would strengthen the Centre's work. These include television, streaming, games or immersive media, and work on class and social mobility. 

Board experience is needed for the Chair but not for member roles. 

What we ask of every member 

• Attend three meetings a year and read the papers. 

• Give advice occasionally between meetings, when asked. 

• Use your networks to help the Centre's evidence reach people who can act on it. 

• Speak up for the Centre. 

What we offer 

A say in the direction of the Centre's research and advocacy. The chance to help drive change in the UK media. Contact with senior people across media, policy, research and philanthropy. An induction with the Interim Chair and the Director. Invitations to the Centre's lectures and events.