University lecturer wins international industry awards for BBC Radio 4 true crime series

University of Gloucestershire lecturer Julia Hayball has won two coveted industry awards for the BBC Radio 4 true crime series hosted by historian and author Lucy Worsley.

The historical podcast and radio series Lady Killers with Lucy Worsley, on which Julia was senior producer, was recognised at the 12^th Annual Lovie Awards hosted by the International Academy of Digital Arts & Sciences.

The series, which is available as a boxset on BBC Sounds, won Gold in the Podcasts: Best Limited Series category and Bronze in the Podcasts: Best Individual Episode category.

Lady Killers with Lucy Worsley follows Lucy and a team of female detectives as they investigate the ordinary lives and extraordinary crimes of Victorian women from a contemporary feminist perspective.

Julia, Senior Lecturer in Audio Production within the University’s School of Creative Industries, said: “It was lovely to get recognition for all the hard work that went into making Ladykillers with Lucy Worsley, and as series producer it’s been a dream project with a supportive and talented team and brilliant storytelling.

“Lucy is very easy to work with – she’s an engaging and knowledgeable host and we like to find cases for her that surprise and educate.”

Julia is an experienced audio producer with more than 25 years in BBC radio, producing many of Radio 2’s daytime programmes, and has worked across a variety of news, specialist music and documentary programmes.

She added: “Ladykillers has been a huge success with the first series getting millions of listens in the UK alone.  

“People have said they love the mix of true crime and history – looking at female murderesses from the past and seeing how their lives and circumstances resonate with women today.  

“Through a mix of interview, narration, reconstruction, investigation and sound design we make these women’s stories come alive. Watch out for series 2!”

Picture: left to right, Julia Hayball, Lucy Worsley and executive producer Kirsty Hunter with their Lovie Awards for the historical podcast and radio series Lady Killers with Lucy Worsley (photo credit: Jason Alden Photography)