A Lecturer in English at the University of Wolverhampton has been selected as a New Generation Thinker for the BBC.

Dr Daisy Black, 32 from Bressingham in Norfolk, a specialist in gender in medieval and renaissance drama, will be making a programme for BBC Radio 3 on her research project 'Eating God: Food in Medieval Religious Drama'.

The New Generation Thinkers is an annual competition run by BBC Radio 3 and the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) to select 10 researchers at the start of their careers who can turn their fascinating research into stimulating programmes.

The aim of the scheme is to provide a development opportunity for early career researchers, cultivating the skills to communicate their research findings to a broader audience outside of the academic community.

As a New Generation Thinker Daisy will also be appearing in a number of radio and television broadcasts and panel debates over the next few years.  Her role will be officially introduced at the Free Thinking Festival in Gateshead which will be taking place from Friday 9th until Sunday 11th March.

Daisy studied A Levels at Diss High School in Diss, near Bressingham, and graduated in English Literature from Cambridge University before completing a Master’s degree in Medieval Culture and Context at the University of Manchester.

Dr Frank Wilson, Head of the Department of English, Linguistics and Creative Writing, said: “This is a marvellous achievement both for Daisy and the University.  Being selected to take part in such a prestigious scheme means that she will appear regularly on BBC Radio 3 and will also help to develop programme ideas and contribute across the BBC’s radio, TV and online output.

Daisy said: “I’m really excited to be taking my research to BBC audiences around the country – getting the chance to enlighten people around the UK about medieval drama. I’m hoping to use what I learn during my time at the BBC to create some opportunities for students who are studying at the University – maybe helping them with media training or creative writing.

“I’ve been an active performer for years, with an interest in theatre directing and producing so this exciting opportunity is an amazing chance for me to take my performance to the next level.”