A SAYING in journalism is that every good man has a good story behind him.
In the case of Coventry University lecturer John Mair, a good man should have thousands of stories and hundreds of contacts.
The mastermind behind ‘Coventry Conversations’, a series of free media talks, Mair has nurtured his idea into a nationwide phenomenon, with only a select few being invited to speak to the city’s public and students.
Jeremy Paxman, Clare Short MP, and the McCann’s spokesman Clarence Mitchell have already addressed audiences at the university’s Ellen Terry building, while BBC Director General Mark Thompson spoke at Coventry Cathedral.
Born in Guyana, the 57-year-old former BBC, ITV and Channel 4 producer assumed a lecturing role in Christmas 2005 and promptly kicked-off the series three weeks after his arrival.
‘Cov Cons’ has gone from strength-to-strength, leading to journalist and exam guru Richard Keeble recently hailing the shows as “unparalleled in any British university”.
Each episode is also available to view as a podcast, with each one averaging around 200 downloads, although Shelley Jofre’s speech attracted a record 1,500 people.
Mair recognises that his brainchild’s unprecedented popularity has risen dramatically throughout the 80 talks he has hosted.
“When we first started the Coventry Conversations series, we averaged around 40 guests,” he recalled.
“However, this has steadily improved, and we now get around 40 in the audience on a really bad day. It’s been a fantastic progression.”
The Oxford resident also recognises the ingredients that make the episodes special.
“The quality of the guests has increased the popularity,” he added.
“Stars attract stars, so the more celebrities we get to talk, the more people want to get involved.
“It’s a great opportunity for my students and the public to meet such distinguished men and women.”
Mair plans to carry on the series for as long as possible. “While there is a demand for Cov Cons, Cov Cons will always be there,” he said.
“It bridges a gap between the community and the university and allows real people to debate real issues.”
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