Innovation FM
Innovation FM was a pop-up FM radio station created to document and celebrate BCU's Innovation Fest '26 — the university's annual showcase connecting student research with industry. From the 18 - 22 of May ‘26, students from the BA Media Production radio & podcast production modules recorded interviews and vox pops with students, staff, visiting industry, and invited guests at the STEAMhouse building. Their content was then edited and broadcast on Innovation FM across the week.
The station was streamed online and transmitted via low-power FM transmitters within STEAMhouse.
Visitors to the Innovation Fest were invited to build their own FM radio to listen to the FM broadcast of Innovation FM. Working with the university's ‘Repair Lab’ initiative, guests could assemble a Kanga Stereo FM kit from scratch — soldering components, testing the circuit, and then tuning in to Innovation FM to see if their radio actually worked…
Build Your Own Radio
“It's a great opportunity to learn how radio works, a bit about basic electronics, and learn a new skill — how to solder…”
Jon Isaac, Technical Manager, Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment
The project juxtaposed technology from over a century ago - alongside cutting-edge student research projects.
Kanga Stereo FM radio kits are available here:
Innovation Fest
Innovation Fest is part of BCU's experiential learning programme, which encourages students to develop projects drawing on current research, entrepreneurial thinking, and practical problem-solving. Industry representatives attend and speak at the event, giving students the opportunity to present their work to potential employers and collaborators.
Project Lead - Sam Coley
Festival Project Manager - Harprit Virdee
Technical Manager - Jon Isaac, Computing, Engineering & the Built Environment
Senior Technician - Radio & Journalism Peter Crowther
Student contributors - BA Media Production, Year 1 & Year 2, Radio & Podcast modules