2022 Sessions

Behind-the-scenes of the Queen’s Funeral, 100 years of the BBC, and cloning Luke Skywalker’s voice - Radio TechCon has something for everyone
Turing Lecture Theatre door
Credit: Vincent Lo

Radio TechCon 2022 – Full programme


This is an archive page. For full details of this year’s Radio TechCon, please go to radiotechcon.com


Radio TechCon 2022 takes place on Monday, 28th November 2022 at IET London: Savoy Place.

Audience at Radio TechCon 2018
Credit: Vincent Lo

0900-1000 Enjoy a welcome coffee and pastry in the Maxwell Library and visit our sponsors in the Exhibition zone. The Welcome Table will also be available if you would like to be introduced to some new contacts.

10:00 Welcome to Radio TechCon 2022

Our host, David Lloyd, welcomes you to the Turing Theatre and explains what to do if he catches fire.

Photo credit: Rupert Brun

David Lloyd presenting Radio TechCon 2017

10:05 Ukraine: Staying On Air

Close up of Ukraine flag

We go live to a secret location in Ukraine to hear first-hand how broadcast engineers and producers are staying on air during the war with Russia, as well as the skills every broadcaster needs to know to prepare for emergency situations.

Photo credit: Flickr/Pete/comedynose

10:25 100 Years of BBC Technology in a Dozen Objects

It’s the BBC’s 100th birthday, and we’re in the building where it all began (the BBC’s first headquarters was in Savoy Place).

Rachel Boon from the Science Museum and tech experts Bill Thompson and Simone Eubanks will show off twelve objects that tell the story of the BBC’s technical history, covering radio, tv and online.

Photo credit: Flickr/Henry Burrows

BBC Micro computer keyboard.

10:55 Adding Neurodivergence to the Mix

Hot-off-the-press research into how neurodivergent listeners process sound.

Find out what audio experiences autistic audiences are seeking out, and how to mix your show to include neurodivergent listeners.

11:20-11:45 – Coffee Break Head to the Maxwell Library for a caffeine boost and enjoy our mini trade fair.

11:45 TalkTV: Telly on the Radio

A TV gallery with monitors and lights shining in a dark bakground.

TalkTV launched this year – but much of its technology is actually powered by radio systems.

Find out how it’s done, and what radio technologists need to know when their bosses announce they need to start doing tv…

Photo credit: Ann Charles

12:10 Defaking News

In an era of deepfakes, how do media outlets ensure their audiences know they are who they say they are?

Kate Brightwell from Adobe will explain a new open-source system for marking your content and increasing trust online.

12:30 Mini Masterclass: Mental Wellbeing at Work

The last few years have been especially stressful.

There are all kinds of schemes for helping to ensure mental wellbeing in the workplace – but how do you move from statements of intent to actually having a mentally healthy workplace in practice?

Mini Masterclasses allow us to go into depth on a topic and you’ll leave this session with practical skills and an action plan for your own place of work.

13:00-14:00 Lunch – Take a break, chat to other delegates and meet our sponsors. There’s more than one food point in the Maxwell Library, so don’t go hungry!

14:00 Adaptive Podcasting

Find out about the BBC R&D technology that makes your podcast more relevant to your audiences by updating automatically – without privacy issues!

14:25 World Radio Congress

Spectrum is up for grabs at international level – mobile phone companies would like some of the frequencies used by broadcasters for programmes and also wireless microphones used on OBs.

This short session will outline the issues and explain how you can get involved in influencing international policy.

14:40 Winter Is Coming

Are you ready for power cuts this winter? And what about equipment safety during weather extremes?

Arqiva shares how it plans for winter emergencies and gives tips on how your organisation can do the same.

Photo credit: Arqiva

A worm's eye view of a man in abseiling harness and a yellow hard hat with a very large and sliver transmission tower stretching up towards the sky and circle of light above him.

14:55 The Clone Rangers

Learn how voice synthesisation has been used to create everything from the voice of a young Luke Skywalker in movies, to adding forgotten lines in the edit – and maybe replacing your radio presenter?

The Emmy-award winning team at Respeecher will explain how voice synthesisation technology works, as well as its ethical implications.

15:15 – 15:45 Engineers’ Tea Time – enjoy a cuppa and some cake, thanks to our official Sponsor Of Cake, Broadcast Radio. This is your last chance to view the exhibition area.

Rows of cupcakes with bright pink icing and a Broadcast Radio logo in the background, with rows of cupcakes with bright green icing and black Radio TechCon logos in the foreground.
Credit: Vincent Lo

15:45 London Bridge

The death of Queen Elizabeth II presented one of the most complex technical challenges the UK broadcast industry has faced.

Hear behind-the-scenes stories from those at the sharp end, including how broadcasters worked together to share resources, what happens when those plans meet first contact during the biggest breaking news story of many people’s careers and how to keep a steady hand on the faders when you know millions of people are listening.

16:15 The Acoustic Properties of Materials

We’ll be finishing Radio TechCon with a bang, as Dr Zoe Laughlin demonstrates the acoustic properties of materials.

Expect interactive demos and the odd loud noise and puff of smoke. Risk assessments are being written as we speak…

16:40 There’ll be a Quiz at the end

Stephanie Hirst returns to host our interactive end-of-TechCon quiz. She’ll be looking to see who was really paying attention, and awarding prizes to the winners!

Photo credit: Vincent Lo

Stephanie Hirst presenting the quiz

17:15 onwards – Evening reception – Once the main Radio TechCon sessions end, head back to the Maxwell Library for a post-TechCon drink and some nibbles, sponsored by LAWO.

What else can I see and do?

As well as giving you access to all our sessions, your ticket includes:

  • Access to the exclusive exhibition area, where you can meet our sponsors and try new equipment hands-on.
  • A chance to meet our amazing speakers.
  • Arrival coffee and pastries, tea and coffee breaks, a lovely lunch and official Radio TechCon cake in the afternoon.
  • A post event drink / networking session.
  • The chance to meet friends old and new, as well as learn new things to help you in your work.
  • Attending Radio TechCon also means you can receive 8 hours of official CPD accreditation from the IET.

We look forward to seeing you on Monday, 28th November 2022 at IET London: Savoy Place.

The day starts with arrival coffees and access to the exhibition area from 0900, conference sessions begin at 1000 and end at 1715 approx – although delegates are encourage to stay on for a drink or two afterwards.

If you have any questions not covered by our FAQ, please get in touch with the team.

We look forward to welcoming you!

Two men enjoying a cup of tea at Radio TechCon 2017
Credit: Vincent Lo

Radio TechCon reserves the right to amend the programme if necessary.