Teaching Media Production: Understanding Unconscious Bias in Creative Idea Development

Drawing on initial findings based on observations, surveys and interviews with a range of new entrants and established television professionals, carried out during an 18 month period working with a talent development scheme, we discuss the perspectives these findings have given us on teaching practices within our own institutions and how we are seeking to bring these insights into changing these practices. In particular we discuss the way that the presence of unconscious bias and assumed consensus within the idea development process can reinforce structural inequalities, militating against the aims of broadcasters to produce a truly diverse range of programmes. We propose that it is equally important for media educators to be aware of the presence of unconscious bias and of ways of tackling it in relation to creative idea development within the academy. We discuss both the barriers and potential solutions for an inclusive approach to the idea development process.