Here’s the finished result, a section in a programme called ‘Yourope’ on Arte TV. The programme is in German but as I understand it, is also played across Europe. To be perverse I’ve ripped the French version (offers to translate gratefully received). It covers the course and the Birmingham social media scene:

I always seem to end up in jobs that are difficult to describe to my mother. For a while I had the grand title of ‘Cluster Innovation Manger for Interactive Media for Education and Entertainment’. That took some explaining by her to those who asked what young Dave was now doing. For the last 12 months it’s been a little easier – I’ve been ‘working for the council’.

That’s a simple statement to repeat and the great thing about it is that it creates a different impression depending on who you tell it to – it could just as well mean emptying the bins as working in an office. I notice my mother doesn’t add further explanation when telling people I ‘work for the council’. That’s fine by me – the detail was rather complex.

I was actually Economic Development Manager for Digital Birmingham which basically meant I went around saying how good the internet was and specifically championing the use of social media to anyone who would listen. There was a tad more to it than that but now my time there has come to an end; or rather, I’ve decided to bring it to an end to take up the exciting opportunity of working with the good people at Birmingham City University on the MA Social Media.

I’m the ‘award leader’ for this degree which largely gives me an administrative responsibility to get the students from one end of the course to the other. I’ll be pitching in with teaching of course but the key role is to support the development of the course and keep those student numbers looking healthy.

So whether you’re a current student or a prospective one then I’m looking forward to getting to know you.

pic: Brabants Historisch Informatie Centrum (BHIC)