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Winston Mano Communication and Media Research Institute, University of Westminster Nationality: Zimbabwean Funded Full-Time Registration (as PhD Direct): October 2000 Completion: June 2004 Director of Studies: Prof.Paddy Scannell Second Supervisor: Prof.Colin Sparks The aim of the PhD In the main, the case study was particularly concerned to answer the following interrelated questions: - How is Radio Zimbabwe articulated in the day-to-day life of its Zimbabwean listeners? - How is Radio Zimbabwe, as a national dual language station perceived in different social settings in Zimbabwe? - What type of mediated social experience and interaction results from the scheduling and daily engagement with Radio Zimbabwe's output? In other words, the focus was concerned with the production and consumption aspects of Radio Zimbabwe within a national context. Experience in stages towards the PhD Research Design/Literature Research: My study of a popular national radio channel and its listeners in Zimbabwe can be located through a number of perspectives in the field of cultural studies. The investigation can be construed as part of the growing body of post-colonial studies that serve as points of critique for contemporary national and international models of communication. A concern with postcolonial radio broadcasting is intrinsic to the much broader issues of cultural imperialism and globalisation that have guided international communication research It was extremely difficult to find up to date literature about media in Africa, let alone publications on radio and everyday life. It was a big relief for me when Richard Fardon and Graham Furniss (ed.) (2000) published African Broadcast Cultures: Radio in Transition. It was an important and timely background publication for my research. British research on broadcasting, particularly the work of Paddy Scannell – my supervisor- helped me understand the debates about the relationship between broadcasting and society in general. Transfer:  My transfer, although not officially required because I was a direct PhD student, was an important mid-point in my research. Profs. Jean Seaton and Annette Hill gave me useful advice on how to focus my research.  Fieldwork:  It was rather unfortunate and challenging that Zimbabwe, my home country and research context, experienced unprecedented problems from 1999-2004, at the start and throughout my research. The research contexts required adjustments and constant reappraisal of my research methods. After three field trips to Zimbabwe, I became satisfied with the amount of research data I had accumulated. Writing: I wrote up the thesis over a year, revisiting earlier chapters to establish links (chapter/intro/conclusion) and to create an overall theme Support I was supported by a University of Westminster teaching studentship for 3 years. I benefited from regular participation in university research seminars, conferences, and submitting work for publication in refereed journals. What you would suggest to a new PhD student... Nothing really. I will just say: have a lot of coffee, attend conferences, read and write as much as possible and...try to have fun! Abstract of the Thesis: African National Radio & Everyday Life: A Case Study of Radio Zimbabwe and its Listeners This case study explores the dynamic relationship between Radio Zimbabwe, a national dual language public service radio station, and its everyday listeners in Zimbabwe. Using a multi-method qualitative case study approach, I critically examine how radio programmes, production processes and aspects of scheduling are articulated to Zimbabwean daily life. On the one hand, Zimbabweans choose Radio Zimbabwe primarily because of its use of familiar and easy to understand African languages, as opposed to, say, English that they have to learn at school. The popularity of Radio Zimbabwe derives from the way its programmes are attuned to the key structures and routines of Zimbabwean daily life. On the other hand, Radio Zimbabwe inevitably leaves out and under represents certain viewpoints and identities. In some cases, these absences have fed into pre-existing tensions within and between ethnic and language groups within Zimbabwe. The relationship between national radio broadcasters and their listenership is examined in a number of ways. I have studied how the broadcasters understand their output. I have examined selected aspects of radio programming in its two main aspects: music and talk programmes. I have paid particular attention to the scheduling of national radio programmes. Finally, through questionnaires, focus groups and interviews, I studied the views of Radio Zimbabwe listeners. The combined effect of these approaches yields a picture of the role of a national public radio channel in the ordinary daily lives of the people of Zimbabwe of all ages, and throughout the country. Publications and Papers Books: (Chapter, Forthcoming 2006), 'The Impact of Radio Zimbabwe Adult Talk on a National Audience', Chapter to be published in Enrico Mendun and Michela Fiaschi (eds.) Africa on Air (Italy). (Chapter, Forthcoming 2006 ), "African Public Service Radio versus National langauges: Mixed Responeses to Radio Zimbabwe's Bilingual Service" in A.Salawou (ed.) Media in Indigenous African Languages (Nigeria) (2000), The Plight of Public Service Television: Television Programming in Zimbabwe, Department of Media and Communication Report Series: University of Oslo. Publications in Journals: (Forthcoming 2006), 'Popular Music as Journalism' in Journalism Studies, Routledge (2005), 'Scheduling for Rural and urban Audiences on Radio Zimbabwe' in The Radio Journal- International Studies in Broadcast and Audio Media, Volume 3 Number 2, London, Intellect Books. Ed. (2005), 'Editorial' in The Media and Zimbabwe. Westminster Papers in Communication and Culture (WPCC). (University of Westminster, London), Special Issue, November 2005: 1-7. (2005), 'Press Freedom, Professionalism and Proprietorship: Beyond the Zimbabwean Media Divide' in The Media and Zimbabwe, Westminster Papers in Communication and Culture (WPCC), University of Westminster, London, Special Issue, November 2005: 56-70. (2005), 'How Global is Global Media- Exploring the African View of the Global' in Global Media and Communication Journal, Vol. 1 (1). pp.50-55 London: Sage. (2005) Book Review: 'Sarah Michael (2004) Undermining Development: The Absence of Power Among Local NGOs in Africa' in Westminster Papers in Communication and Culture (University of Westminster, London), Vol. 2(1): 119-121. (2004), 'Renegotiating Tradition on Radio Zimbabwe' in Media, Culture & Society. Vol. 26, No. 3, 315-336, London: Sage. Current Job Senior Lecturer/Course Leader in Media and Communication Studies, CAMRI, University of Westminster– Continuing teaching at the Media School- now full time – previously part time. Contact details Winston Mano Communication and Media Research Institute University of Westminster Watford Road, Northwick Park HA1 3TP, Harrow, Middlesex E-mail: manow@wmin.ac.uk