Theory wrapped in context: bridges between academic and industrial worlds

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to review two key academic‐commercial partnerships that BBC Training & Development has with two major universities. The learners are undergraduate students seeking training and ultimately a career in broadcasting. The review seeks to examine from the author's perspective the relative strengths each party brings to the partnership and to show how the learner benefits by bringing these together. Design/methodology/approach – The article represents a viewpoint from the author's perspective as a broadcaster and educator. He analyses the relationship, asks what a university should bring to the partnership and draws on interviews with key people involved in the partnership. Findings – Partnerships between the academic and commercial/industrial worlds do bring value to their clients in that they immerse students in the intensive reality of what they are learning, while giving them a context within which to understand theory and thereby develop a critical mindset. Originality/value – This paper argues that such a partnership will enrich a learner's experience and produce a professional who is both practically grounded and intellectually critical.