Seton Hall University senior and WSOU 89.5 FM news director Robert Towey will co-lead a hands-on workshop at the Alternatives 2019 International Student Radio Conference, hosted at the University of Cambridge in England. Towey, who was personally invited by the conference to participate as an instructor, is the only college student to teach a workshop at this worldwide gathering.  All other workshops are led by faculty members and industry professionals. 

Titled “Going Beyond: The Art of the Interview,” this practical workshop explores strategies and ideas on how to get the best radio interviews in a variety of circumstances.  The session will include field work in the city of Cambridge, England, as well as collaborative projects.  Towey will draw on his experiences as an award-winning journalist and the dozens of news, sports, and music interviews he has done for WSOU.  Joining Towey in facilitating the workshop is Lance Liguez, president of College Radio Day and faculty advisor to UTARadio.com at the University of Texas at Arlington.

“I am excited to have the opportunity to speak at the Alternatives 2019 conference at the University of Cambridge, an event that will host an audience of radio educators and students from across the globe,” said Towey. “Many people are intimidated by the prospect of interviewing someone, but the right preparation and approach allows anyone to conduct a great interview.”

For his workshop, Towey will discuss choosing the right questions to ask, the best ways to draw out meaningful and evocative responses from the interviewee, the importance of listening carefully while conducting an interview, and much more.  Liguez will speak to participants about recording techniques and properly using audio gear to tape interviews. 

“In addition to the classroom presentation, we will allow participants to employ our advice right away, as the workshop features an hour-long practice interview session where my co-presenter and I will be taking the audience into the streets of Cambridge,” noted Towey. “The students will conduct sample interviews with members of the community to hear their thoughts on the United Kingdom’s new Prime Minister, Boris Johnson.  I am proud that my work at WSOU has given me the platform and background to teach this workshop and help others become better storytellers.  It is a privilege to represent both WSOU and Seton Hall at Alternatives 2019.”

Alternatives 2019 takes places August 14-16 at the historic Jesus College (est. 1496) at the University of Cambridge, England.  The conference is an opportunity for campus radio makers from all over the world to come together to hear and share experiences and ideas. Participants come from Asia, Europe, North America, and South America.  

“This is a real honor for Bob, WSOU and Seton Hall University,” said WSOU general manager Mark Maben.  “While some students at Alternatives 2019 are presenting or participating on panels, Bob is the only student who is doing actual teaching and instruction to create a hands-on learning experience for attendees.  That the conference organizers considered a Seton Hall student up to this task speaks to quality of professional development WSOU and the College of Communication and the Arts provides.”