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12 Dec 2007 16:41:01
Acclaimed journalist and documentary maker Sarfraz Manzoor visited the University of Bedfordshire yesterday (11 December) and spoke to students about growing up in Luton.
The 36-year-old, who grew up in Bury Park and Marsh Farm, talked to Journalism and Media Production undergraduates about how he broke into the media industry, working his way up from his first work placement, to becoming Deputy Commissioning Editor at Channel 4.
He told students: “Growing up in a working-class family and being different is one of the things which drove me to succeed. Your experiences are what you have to offer, so make the most of experiencing new cultures, new situations, working in different jobs and meeting new and interesting people.”
Sarfraz has gained a reputation as a social commentator and writes for The Guardian, Esquire, The New Statesman and The Observer. He has appeared on numerous radio and television programmes about what it means to be a Muslim living in Britain, including on Question Time, Newsnight and Radio 4’s The Today Programme.
He has made documentaries Luton Actually for the BBC, telling his own experience as a Pakistani Brit growing up in a multi-cultural town and The Great British Asian Invasion for Channel 4, about the influence Asians have left on the cultural landscape in Britain.
Sarfraz also discussed his new book Greetings from Bury Park, which retraces his journey from Lahore to Luton, and then onto London. Set against the backdrop of a changing Britain and spanning three decades, it illuminates the hidden joys and public agonies of being a Pakistani Muslim obsessed with Bruce Springsteen.
For further information about studying Media and Journalism at the University of Bedfordshire visit www.beds.ac.uk/departments/mediaartdesign
Latest news» 2007» December» Luton journalist and documentary maker visits Uni
