Media centre
Media Centre
Our media centre is here to help provide news outlets, journalists and filmmakers with expert academics in their chosen field.
Please contact the press office for any media enquiries regarding the University of West London on
- 020 8231 2914
- communications@uwl.ac.uk
Latest news
Keep up to date with the latest news at UWL.
Our expert academics
If you require expert professionals to discuss a particular subject matter or theme, please contact us.
The specialist areas our experts cover include extremism, nutritional food labelling, immigration law and racial or violent crime – please see some of our academics available for media comment and appearances below.
Professor Alberto Testa
Professor of Applied Criminology, School of Human and Social Sciences
Professor Alberto Testa is a criminologist and an internationally recognised expert in far-right extremism, terrorism and hooliganism. He is also a specialist in applied behaviour analysis, forensic interviewing and cyber intelligence analysis.
In 2021, he was elected Fellow by the Council of the Royal Anthropological Institute of Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland.
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Professor Alberto Testa
Professor of Applied CriminologySchool of Human and Social SciencesAlberto Testa is a criminologist and Far-right expert; he is a certified Forensic Interviewer (CFI-CISA, USA) and a full member of the Association of British Investigators (MABI).
Professor Testa is also a specialist in applied behaviour analysis (deception/credibility) and cyber intelligence analysis. In all his studies, Professor Testa uses empirical evidence, so evidence is validated by direct experience from the “field”.
Expert comment
Professor Testa can offer expert comment on:
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Far-right extremism, terrorism and policing
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Far-right and organised crime
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Racism – Antisemitism & Islamophobia
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Far-right football hooliganism
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Sport criminology: Organised crime and Antisemitism in football
He is a regular commentator for broadcast and print media, where he has spoken about the widespread implications of crime and security by far-right extremism and terrorism. He can speak with authority about the threat and impact of growing infiltration of police and armed forces by extremists and links to organised crime and racism.
He is a regular commentator on LBC news to discuss hooliganism and extremism in football, as well as on topical news stories and cases in the media.
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Selected news articles and media comment
The Taliban & Far-Right propaganda - LBC Radio News
London Police Officer Convicted of Membership in Neo-Nazi Group – The New York Times
Protests hijacked by groups intent on "creating chaos," says professor of criminology – LBC News
Glasgow stabbings: Man shot dead named as Badreddin Abadlla Adam – LBC Radio show with Andrew Castle
Burnley condemns 'White Lives Matter' banner flown over Etihad Stadium - CNN
Sinister Nazi group hide blades behind stickers in Scotland-wide horror hate campaign – Daily Record
Dr Snorri Rafnsson
Associate Professor of Ageing and Dementia, Geller Institute of Ageing and Memory, School of Medicine and Biosciences
Dr Rafnsson leads research into ageing and memory, particularly around dementia and dementia care. His expertise includes how psychosocial conditions shape the health of older adults and the impact of loneliness, social connections and family-caregiving alongside the development of dementia and psychological wellbeing.
He can also speak about ethnic group differences as we age and what accounts for a variety of outcomes.
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Dr Snorri Bjorn Rafnsson
Associate Professor of Ageing and DementiaSchool of Medicine and BiosciencesDr Snorri Bjorn Rafnsson currently serves as Associate Professor of Ageing and Dementia in the Geller Institute of Ageing and Memory in the School of Medicine and Biosciences at the University of West London. The goal of his research is to develop an evidence-base to inform policy and practice in supporting welfare and wellbeing in later life.
Expert comment
Dr Rafnsson can offer expert comment on:
- Ageing and memory, especially around brain health
- Dementia and links to social relationships in older age
- Loneliness and social isolation in old age
- Ethnic group differences in health and wellbeing in older age
- The impact of policy and caregiving on ageing and dementia
Dr Rafnsson has spoken in international media following release of his research into the impact of social and online connections on cognitive health and dementia – particularly on findings which showed greater interactions online could help prevent the onset of dementia.
He can comment for broadcast and print media about the research and scientific implications of dementia and ageing, around brain health and wellbeing in older age.
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Selected news articles and media comment
Talking on Zoom could help older people stave off dementia, U.K. study says – CTV News
Using Zoom could help older people avoid dementia, study reveals - The Guardian
Talking on Zoom could help older people stave off dementia - CNN
Zoom calls stave off memory loss and can protect against dementia – MailOnline
Professor Emily Caston
Professor of Screen Industries, London School of Film, Media and Design
Professor Caston has spent her career working in the film and television industries in London and Los Angeles and sat as a board member for Film London.
She has created more than 100 music videos and television adverts for artists including Madonna and U2 and alongside directors Spike Jonze and Chris Cunningham. She heads UWL’s Policy and Practice Research Institute of Screen and Music, working with the APA and BFI, and directing Arts and Humanities Research Council and British Academy-funded research.
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Professor Emily Caston
Professor of Screen IndustriesLondon School of Film, Media and DesignEmily Caston is Professor of Screen Industries and Director of the Policy and Practice Research Institute of Screen and Music at UWL (PRISM). She publishes widely on screen advertising and music video with funding from the AHRC, British Academy and Leverhulme, securing high profile public engagement work with the BBC, Sky Arts and the British Film Institute.
Expert comment
Dr Caston can offer expert comment on:
- Global music videos past and present
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British music videos contemporary & historical since 1930s
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British screen industries since 1970s, mapping, modelling, Gov’t policy
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British moving image advertising late Victorian early film to 2020s
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History of Soho, London, as a cultural and economic cluster
She is available for interviews for broadcast and print media and can speak on film and screen industries as both an industry practitioner and academic.
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Selected news articles and media comment
Contributor, MTV, A British Invention? BBC Radio 2
Principle Contributor to:
- Video Killed The Radio Star:
- Pink. MGMM Studios / Sky Arts
- Kylie Minogue. MGMM Studios / Sky Arts
- Annie Lennox. MGMM Studios / Sky Arts
- Madonna. MGMM Studios / Sky Arts
‘The Extraordinary Success of Michael Jackson’s Thriller” TRT
Professor Caston has released four books:
- British Screen Advertising: The Cinematography of Commerce 1850-2020
- London’s Screen Industries Cluster: an History of Soho 1955-2016
- Art, Authenticity and Authorship in Music Video: British Music Videos 1966 – 2016
- Celluloid Saviours: Angels and Reform in Hollywood Film.
- Video Killed The Radio Star:
Professor Rowan Myron
Associate Professor for Healthcare Management, College of Nursing, Midwifery and Healthcare
Professor Myron has expertise in psychology – from behavioural to family psychology. She is also focused on health and wellbeing and has helped delivering sustained changes to NHS services, with a particular interest in the use of new technologies to engage frontline staff in learning opportunities.
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Professor Rowan Myron
Associate Professor for Healthcare ManagementCollege of Nursing, Midwifery and HealthcareDr Myron is an experienced researcher, writer, presenter and manager in the field of social science, with particular expertise in psychology, improvement science and knowledge mobilisation in healthcare. She has wide-ranging experience in leading and managing research and education programmes and research staff, and extensive specialist knowledge in change theories, improvement methodologies and implementation in healthcare.
Expert comment
Professor Myron can offer expert comment on:
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Behavioural and family psychology
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Resilience, wellbeing and mental wellness
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Positivity and reframing
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Changes in the NHS and learning opportunities
She was a regular contributor to broadcast media including BBC Radio Wales during the Covid-19 lockdowns to offer analysis and advice on how different groups coped with restrictions and isolation and predicting behaviours and changes in behaviour along with changes in restrictions.
Professor Myron also offers regular advice and wellbeing blogs for media outlets and can speak about resilience and overcoming difficulties in a variety of circumstances.
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Selected news articles and media comment
Preparing for lockdown: Psychology and compliance with rules – BBC Radio Wales
Families reunited as support bubbles are introduced – GatewayFM
Expert advice to keep yourself well this winter – Hounslow local media
Building Resilience with expert psychologist, Dr Rowan Myron – Ealing local media
Professor Graeme Atherton
Head of the Centre for Inequality and Levelling Up (CEILUP)
Professor Atherton is central to work to address the problems of inequality regarding place and background across the UK and beyond. He has worked with the National Education Opportunities Network (NEON) and now leads the new Centre for Inequality and Levelling Up (CEILUP) at the University of West London.
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Professor Graeme Atherton
Head of the Centre for Inequality and Levelling Up (CEILUP)Graeme studied Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Trinity College Oxford and has been working in the field of education research and management since 1995. After 6 years leading Aimhigher work in London, he founded AccessHE and NEON in the UK. He now leads both the Centre for Levelling Up at the University of West London and NEON. Graeme holds Visiting Professorships at Amity University, London and Sunway University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He is a member of the board of the National Union of Students (NUS) and has produced over 200 conference papers, and publications.
Expert comment
Professor Atherton can offer expert comment on:
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Higher education and Levelling Up
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Increasing inclusion in education
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The impact of policy and decision-making on higher education
Professor Atherton is available for interviews for broadcast and print media. He has extensive experience speaking with journalists to share his own research findings in the media and contribute to stories around education policy and the impact of COVID-19 on learning.
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Selected news articles and media comment
Covid’s disruptive forces should be harnessed to boost inclusion - Times Higher Education
Stop talking about social mobility and make learning opportunities ‘hyper local’ – FE News
More students choose local universities as Covid pandemic rages – The Guardian
Has access to higher education been a victim of Covid-19? – University World News
Professor William ‘Lez’ Henry
Professor of Criminology and Sociology, School of Human and Social Sciences
Prof William ‘Lez’ Henry is a renowned speaker and expert on the Black British and Caribbean experience, the Black British influence upon, and contribution to, the social, cultural and political struggles of the African Diaspora nationally and internationally.
He has featured in news programmes and documentaries, speaking at length about the "hidden" role of black people in the wider British experience of fighting racism and social injustice.
His work is based on his first-hand experience of the "Stop the Sus Law Campaign", the "Battle of Lewisham", the "New Cross Fire March" and events tackling the ongoing impact of systemic and institutionalised racism in Britain.
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Professor William Henry
Professor of Criminology and SociologySchool of Human and Social SciencesI was born in the London Borough of Lewisham of Jamaican parentage, and I am a Professor of Criminology and Sociology in the School of Human and Social Sciences and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Lead for UWL.
I am the British Reggae Deejay Lezlee Lyrix, and a writer, poet and community activist who is renown as a first-rate public speaker who has lectured both nationally and internationally and featured in numerous documentaries, current affairs television and radio programmes, for over three decades.
Expert comment
Professor Henry can offer expert comment on:
- The Black British experience and racism in the UK
- Understanding the popular cultures of the African Diaspora
- The influence of different cultures on UK social and political struggles
Professor Henry is a speaker and community activist who has been interviewed extensively for television and radio. He speaks regularly about his own experiences and the impact of racism across London and in the context of young people.
He can also speak about race, education, ethnicity, youth crime and cultural studies – particularly in relation to the Black British experience.
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Selected news articles and media comment
UK Yet to Tackle Structural Racism 10 Years After Police Killing of Mark Duggan, Experts Say - Sputnik News
Most universities have done little to dismantle racism – The Voice
The Battle of Lewisham – BBC
Dr William ‘Lez’ Henry on Racism in the UK – The World
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