The learning curve: Distinctive opportunities and challenges posed by university-based community radio stations

Siren FM is based at the University of Lincoln, in the centre of the historic cathedral city in the East Midlands, UK. It was one of the first full-time community radio stations to be founded by a British university and be fully located on the university’s campus. Once a student radio station, it was re-launched with a full community radio licence, with students forming one of the communities served. Using Siren FM as a case study, this article will document the challenges and potential benefits to operation and governance specific to a community radio station located on a university campus. It will look at the ways in which the station has been used as a mechanism for curriculum delivery and assessment, and explore how the students themselves engage with the station.

The article will argue that Siren FM, and other community radio stations that are located on university campuses, offer an interesting model for the relatively new third tier of radio in the UK, placing the stations in a unique position to effect social gain by enhancing students’ learning experience and empowering young people.