Tue 12 Dec, 2023

PRA makes The Radio Academy’s 30 Under 30!

Two of the Prison Radio Association’s key staff have made it onto The Radio Academy’s class of 2023 – a prized industry accolade for young radio professionals.

The ReelWorld Radio Academy 30 Under 30 is an annual list of of 30 people under the age of 30 who have shown ‘exceptional tenacity, talent and a proven trajectory in radio and audio‘.  

The alumni represent all areas of the sector, from podcast production to presenting, content creation to research and journalism.

Our Director of Operations and Women’s Projects, Abbey Darling, has been honoured on this list.

Abbey spearheads our work in women’s prisons and is in charge of operations at the PRA.

You can listen to what Abbey had to say about making this years top 30 below:

I am beyond honoured to be included in this year’s Radio Academy 30 Under 30 list. I’m even more delighted to be there alongside my talented friend and colleague Jules Rowan – I couldn’t be prouder of you!

All my love and thanks to the very special humans I get to work with every day at Prison Radio Association, especially my team at HMP Styal.

I’ll repeat what I said in my award interview – there are so many talented young women under 30 I work with inside prison who don’t get this recognition and opportunity, so I have to shine a light on them today. Seeing the women at HMP Styal grow as radio producers and presenters is the very best part of my job. Thank you to The Radio Academy!

Abbey Darling – Director of Operations and Women’s Projects

Award-winning presenter of our Life After Prison podcast, Jules Rowan, has also been included in this list.

Life After Prison offers advice, inspiration, information, support and entertainment to people who are affected by prison and the criminal justice system. 

Jules explains how much this means to her below:

“Feeling truly honoured and excited to be one of this year’s 30 Under 30. I am super proud to be apart of an incredible team and working towards something I believe will make a real difference to people, and to be amongst like minded talented names.

Thank you to the Radio Academy for recognising my contribution to the industry.”
Jules Rowan – Life After Prison presenter

The Prison Radio Association is incredibly proud of its team who continue to make life changing impact to those affected by the criminal justice system through the power of audio.