Joint Audio Media Educational Support (JAMES) has appointed Dr Gary Bromham and Rita Campbell as new Co-Chairs, taking over from long-time chairs Dr Phil Harding and Dennis Weinreich who will support Bromham and Campbell as Co-Vice Chairs.
Additionally, Dr Steve Parker takes the role of JAMES Accreditation Development, bringing both an industry perspective and that of many years as Principal Lecturer at Leeds Beckett University. Together with Francesca Smith they are now the key point of contact for all JAMES course accreditations and re-accreditations.
Campbell counts more than 30 years as a songwriter, session singer, performer and vocal coach, working with a diverse range of artists including Steps, Michael McDonald, Cher, Paul Weller and The Brand New Heavies.
‘I am delighted and honoured to be working alongside Gary, and am looking forward to continuing JAMES’ work and support relating to student health, wellbeing and pastoral care. Mental health and health protection is key for survival,’ she says.
Alongside his research projects at Queen Mary University of London, Bromham is a practising music producer, songwriter and audio engineer, with more than 30 years’ experience working with the likes of Bjork, Wham, Sheryl Crow, Blur and U2. ‘Our vision for JAMES is that we respect traditional practice whilst embracing new technologies and methods of working whilst understanding that it is important not to lose sight of the fact that this is still an interdisciplinary field,’ he says. ‘Music is often driven by emotion and feeling and this must factor into any discussion in this domain.’
‘The creative industries in the UK have always been world leading and academia’s links to creative and industry practitioners have always been important when writing and developing HE courses,’ Parker adds. ‘JAMES has an important role to play in these developments. It is vital that students and academics value the skills necessary for developing aspiring and prosperous careers in the creative industries.’
Long-standing JAMES Director David Ward comments: ‘As Francesca Smith becomes the JAMES Accreditation Manager and Steve Parker, Accreditation Development, I am happy that my role as Executive Director will now entail giving support and advice to our JAMES teams.’
More: www.jamesonline.org.uk
