The Art of Explanation
News
BSU welcomes BBC presenter Ros Atkins to explain The Art of Explanation
Tuesday, 4 March, 2025Whether it’s holding people’s attention during a presentation or simply writing an email, most people could benefit from being better communicators. Luckily, Bath Spa University is welcoming renowned journalist and BBC presenter Ros Atkins to help us sharpen up those skills.
Ros Atkins is Analysis Editor for BBC News and the presenter of Outside Source and the Media Show. He's also the creator of the critically acclaimed 'Ros Atkins on...' video series. On Tuesday 11 March, he will join Bath Spa University staff, students and the wider community at BSU’s Newton Park campus to discuss his book, The Art of Explanation. During the talk, Ros will share the secrets he has learned from years of working in high-pressure newsrooms – and guests will come away with valuable tips and tricks to add to their communications toolset.
Ros was inspired to write The Art of Explanation based on his experience as a journalist. Early in his career, he realised that to do his job well, he needed both to gather the most useful and accurate information and also pass it on effectively. His popular ‘explainer’ videos provided additional impetus, as he found he was frequently being asked about how he made them. Ros said:
“As I shared the techniques I was using, I could see people were interested in them and that they could be used in lots of ways outside of journalism. I thought maybe a book on a similar subject could be of interest. Writing it was my effort to make the case for taking care over how we communicate and to share how I go about it.”
Learning to be a great communicator can be particularly useful for young people and students, from aiding them in their studies to helping them take their first steps into a career. Ros said:
“The ability to explain yourself is an important part of being a student. It was at university that I really started to think about how I could do this better. There's a need to convey knowledge and findings. Also, students frequently need to make the case for themselves and their ideas. Whether looking for a job, or to get a place on a further course or any number of other opportunities, how well we communicate our knowledge, skills and ideas in those moments can be the difference between getting the opportunity or not.”
Talking about what he hoped people would take away from his event, Ros said:
“[I want them to] think about explanation and communication – and to see it as an important part of how they go about their studies and their plans for the future.”
The event is part of Curious Minds: A Festival to Ignite Ideas, curated by BSU cultural partner Bath Arts Collective, and supported by BSU, Apex Hotels, University of Bath, Mytton Williams, Mr B’s Emporium, Komedia, Creative Bath, FilmBath, Archeo-Heritage Film, Holburne Museum, TSL Consulting and 7 Hills. The festival brings together more than 40 book talks, film screenings, live podcast shows, music, walking tours and writing workshops designed to entertain, challenge and inspire.
Ros Atkins: The Art of Explanation is on Tuesday 11 March in Bath Spa University’s Michael Tippett Centre. Tickets are available to book online. Ros will also be signing copies of his book after the talk.