Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Gaining real-world experience with Manchester Pride
Harry Hosker, an MA Media and Cultures student, has accomplished remarkable work as part of his MA Theory into Practice module. Here, he shares his experience with us.
Throughout March and April this year, I had the pleasure of working with Manchester Pride as part of my MA Media & Culture ‘Theory Into Practice’ module. While Manchester Pride is best known for their annual festival over the August Bank Holiday, they are also one of the leading LGBTQ+ charities in the UK, dedicated to fighting homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia while supporting and empowering LGBTQ+ communities.
During my placement, I was tasked with redesigning a public-facing memorial and information plaque on display in Sackville Gardens. This plaque, situated next to a statue of Alan Turing, tells the story of the 'Father of Modern Computer Science' and highlights his importance to Manchester as a city known for its contributions to science, innovation, and LGBTQ+ heritage.
Collaborating with the Community and Engagement Team, I gained a deeper understanding of the diverse roles and activities within Manchester Pride. This included learning about their community support initiatives, the various schemes they offer to individuals and organizations across Greater Manchester, and their efforts to promote queer visibility on a global scale.
As a commuter student from Manchester, I was thrilled to find work experience opportunities close to home, which allowed me to build personal connections with local organizations. This proximity offered great flexibility and enabled me to tailor the module to my specific interests. Working on a project for Sackville Gardens, a historic and culturally significant site for LGBTQ+ history in Manchester, was particularly rewarding. Creating a piece of public-facing work that will be displayed for years to come as part of an important heritage and tourist attraction was a wonderful opportunity.
The Theory into Practice module offers students a chance to gain real-world experience in media-related roles. Throughout my MA, I have focused my assessments on LGBTQ+ culture, and this placement allowed me to see how academic work can translate into practical workplace applications. This experience has been incredibly valuable in contextualizing my academic studies, providing the opportunity to work with new organizations, and building professional contacts for the future. Additionally, it has helped me develop personal skills such as confidence building, networking, and responding to client feedback.
Overall, my time with Manchester Pride has been an enriching and transformative experience, aligning my academic pursuits with practical applications and furthering my professional and personal growth.
