Layla Painter

Profile

I joined the University of Leeds in 2021 after spending 20 years working as a journalist for the BBC. My career spanned many roles including online journalist writing for the BBC News website; reporter, newsreader, producer and senior journalist at BBC Radio Leeds; and management roles in BBC local radio. I am now passionate about passing on this experience gained in industry to the next generation of journalists on our BA Journalism course.

I have an interest in technology and in particular digital journalism. Before joining the BBC I worked on content and development of websites for companies such as Girlguiding UK and Tate. Whilst at the BBC I was at the forefront of digital developments for local radio such as the Video Nation project, some of the BBC’s first Twitter pilots, the roll out of social media coverage, and the development of news bulletins for smartspeakers. I also provide podcast consultancy for small companies.

Responsibilities

• Programme Leader - BA Journalism

Research interests

Developing Confidence in Community Journalism – Staff from the University of Leeds School of Media and Communication will be working with Bradford's community radio station, BCB, to build volunteer confidence in broadcasting local democracy content. The ‘Developing Confidence in Community Journalism’ project will take the form of a series of workshops co-designed to build key knowledge and journalism skills. BCB radio has been providing a local community radio service in Bradford since 1994 – with a team of nearly 200 volunteers broadcasting locally produced content. 

Launch press release: School of Media & Communication staff team up with Bradford radio station for new community journalism project
This project featured in Representology: the Journal of Media and Diversity (Issue 07, Spring 2025): https://bcuassets.blob.core.windows.net/docs/representologyissue07spreads-133837428816660981.pdf