#NonExecutiveDirector
Karen Merkel
Board Member, UK National Commission for UNESCO Board of Directors.
Karen Merkel is an expert on international development through creative industries, having worked across multiple media platforms throughout her career and co-founding New Media Networks with Akim Mogaji in 2008.
In 2008, Karen co-founded New Media Networks, an international communication, production and training consultancy that works globally on content creation and media strategies. The company undertakes regular work with international and national broadcasters, the BBC, organisational members of the Commonwealth Family, the UN and regional agencies. In these contexts, Karen has developed a range of events and activities designed for broadcast i.e. masterclasses, showcases, training and discussions, which include Media Literacy.
Karen spent nine years at the BBC and throughout this time she has worked in World Service Education on global broadcast projects, as Director of Education for the BBC World Service Trust (now Media Action) and lead on a new educational partnership between BBC World Service and the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
She also has 20 years of experience working across the UK as an Arts and Media Practitioner with community-based Arts Companies, producing independent programmes for BBC Radio 4 and 5Live, as well as creating and co-leading ‘SoundRadio’.
Karen has dedicated her time to vital charity efforts throughout her career, having participated as a member of the UNAIDS Communications Task Force: aids2031, Chair of Newham’s Community Health Council and a board member of ‘Acting Up’, a charity building digital platforms for self-advocacy for people with learning disabilities.
#Institution
Founder and Partner
New Media Networks (NMN) in London
Since 2008
#Alma-Matter
University of East Anglia
#Role at UNESCO
Director of the Communication and Information portfolio, UK National Commission for UNESCO
SINCE 2014
QUOTE
“My UNESCO portfolio has 3 facets: Freedom of Expression, Media Development and Access to Information and Knowledge. […] Each area is distinct, complex and fast moving. It is also endlessly fascinating.”
Karen Merkel
Liaising with the UK’s Permanent Delegation to UNESCO and approved by HM government, our Non-Executive Directors help steer the direction of the UK National Commission for UNESCO, and are each responsible for overseeing a particular field of UNESCO’s work in the UK.
ROLE AT UNESCO
Karen Merkel is a member of the UK National Commission for UNESCO’s Board of Directors, specialising in Communication and Information.
Institutions
New Media Networks (NMN) Consultancy
Co-Founder, Partner.
SINCE 2008
University of East Anglia
Associate Tutor
SINCE 2009
Stratford Circus: Creative and Performing Arts Venue
Chair of Stratford Arts Trust
SINCE 2012
Role at UNESCO
Non-Executive Director, UK National Commission for UNESCO’s Board of Directors, Communication and Information portfolio.
SINCE 2014
COMMISSION
The UK National Commission for UNESCO
ESTABLISHED 1946 – LONDON, ENGLAND
UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) is the United Nations body responsible for coordinating international cooperation in education, science, culture and communication. The UKNC is a hub for all UNESCO-related matters in the UK, and the Board of Directors take part in formulating and regularly reviewing the strategic aims of the commission.
Publications
SELECTED PUBLISHED WORK
Read about some of the projects and initiatives that Karen has been a part of.
The World in a Cube
2013
#MediaAccess
With London University partners Queen Mary, and Birkbeck, NMN explored and produced a prototype for public engagement with archives sourced through Karen’s discovery of Tate & Lyle Sugar’s forgotten collection of films.
Bradford City of Film Education Symposium
#BradfordCityofFilm
Here, keynote speaker, Mark Reid (the BFI’s Head of UK Learning Programmes), Yongsun Lee (Korean Film Council), Alton Grizzle (UNESCO), and guests from across the UNESCO Creative Cities Network come together to learn more about the power of film in education.
LATEST
QUOTE
“More recently, the world has come to understand more about Disinformation and hopefully, how Media Literacy is the tool for citizens to use to discern fact from fiction. As I have a background in urban regeneration, I also focus on the Creative Cities Programme, which enables me to see at first hand the amazing work that goes on within UNESCO Designations. All in all, it’s a unique privilege to be involved in this amazing organisation.”
Karen Merkel
#MoreExperts
RELATED EXPERTS
Meet the UK National Commission for UNESCO Accredited Experts
#Education #Media
Ivor Gaber
ACCREDITED EXPERT
#MediaFreedom
An Accredited Expert, Professor Ivor Gaber, represents the UK government on the IPDC – the UN body dedicated to supporting media and communications in developing countries.
RELATED CHAIRS
Read more about our related Chairs in Media and Freedom.
Chair in New Media Forms of the Book at the University of Bedfordshire
PROFESSOR ALEXIS WEEDON
#Communication
Professor Alexis Weedon leads a vast programme of projects, publications and events that examine how forms of collaborative authorship can break down assumptions and change publishing practices.
Chair in Media Freedom, Journalism Safety and the Issue of Impunity at the University of Sheffield
PROFESSOR JACKIE HARRISON
#MediaFreedom
The Chair supports the international agenda to safeguard media. They prevent, protect and prosecute crimes against journalists through a combination of high-quality research, teaching and informed advocacy.
Chair in Refugee Integration through Languages and the Arts at the University of Glasgow/span>
PROFESSOR ALISON PHIPPS
#ArtsForEducation
Led by Professor Alison Phipps, the Chair’s team of six is pioneering a series of research projects, residencies and events which place language and the arts at the heart of refugee integration.
FULL LIST
A global network of universities that carry out research to address pressing challenges and contribute.
*by alphabetical order
Our advisors are experts in their field who provide advice to the UK National Commission for UNESCO by reviewing applications for UNESCO designations, prizes and patronage, and contribute to other aspects of our work.
#Man&Biosphere #Science
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#CreativeCity #Communication
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#MemoryoftheWorld #Culture
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#WorldHeritage #Culture
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All our accredited experts are selected to advise the UK National Commission for UNESCO on policy matters related to UNESCO. They are approved by HM government to represent the UK in UNESCO committees, commissions and programmes.
#IHP #Science
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#IHP #Science
#IOC #Science
#IOC #Science
#Bioethics #Social&HumanScience
#UnderwaterCulteralHeritage #Culture
#SESAME #Science
#AI #TuringCenter #Science
UNESCO Chairs are based within Institutes for Higher Education and specialise in specific research fields. They provide policy advice to the UK National Commission for UNESCO and HM government, as well as reviewing UNESCO applications.
Liaising with the UK’s Permanent Delegation to UNESCO and approved by HM government, our Non-Executive Directors help steer the direction of the UK National Commission for UNESCO, and are each responsible for overseeing a particular field of UNESCO’s work in the UK.
#Chair #HumanSciences
#Vice-Chair #Culture
#Communication&Information
#NaturalSciences
#HigherEducation
#Education
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