Robert Benfield

Robert Benfield serves as Senior Lecturer for the University of Westminster's BA Television Production course and teaches Television Studio Directing through the China Media Centre. With 25 years of broadcast industry experience—including 10 years directing/producing BBC's Blue Peter, current affairs work at TVS/Channel 4, and executive roles at Carlton Television and DKTV—he bridges professional practice and academic instruction. His career spans over 100 hours of live multi-camera television production across magazine programming, live events, and game shows.

Research interests focus on:

• Broadcast television production methodologies
• Digital media platform evolution (DKTV, Kidnet)
• Cross-cultural television training (China Media Centre)
• Live event direction techniques
• Current affairs programming frameworks
• Television education pedagogy

His work with the China Media Centre represents a strategic focus on transferring Western broadcast standards to Chinese media professionals.

Benfield's industry-to-academia transition began with teaching at Farnborough College (where he earned his Certificate of Education), progressed through course leadership at Ravensbourne College, and solidified after pioneering digital projects like DKTV (BBC-backed IP-TV/Housing Association service) and Kidnet. His current role leverages extensive practical knowledge in studio directing, production management, and digital platform development to train next-generation television professionals.

The China Media Centre serves as his primary research vehicle, facilitating knowledge exchange between UK and Chinese television industries through specialized directing courses and technical workshops. This affiliation enables applied research in cross-cultural media production while maintaining direct industry relevance through ongoing executive consulting with European media technology initiatives.