Summary
Overview
Work history
Education
Skills
Affiliations
Testimonials
Timeline
Generic
Chris Deacy

Chris Deacy

Canterbury,Kent

Summary

Radio and TV broadcaster, journalist and lead presenter on BFI-funded national TV series, podcast host, film critic, and internationally renowned author of books and articles on film, religion, life after death, Christmas and nostalgia. Former (now Honorary) lecturer, curriculum designer and Head of Department at University of Kent with vast expertise in delivering academic and pastoral support.

Overview

21
21
years of professional experience

Work history

Radio presenter

Cabin FM
Herne Bay, Kent
06.2024 - Current
  • Present live on-air each week.
  • Showcase presenting skills through music-based radio station.
  • Produce engaging interviews with guests including novelists, filmmakers, musicians, academics, environmental campaigners, disability specialists and community representatives.
  • Pioneered innovative, live broadcasts such as 2024 US Presidential election results special and nostalgia-focused Christmas shows with bespoke audience interaction.
  • Developed creative programme concepts for increasing listener base, leading to introduction of new Saturday movie show.
  • Increased listenership by 50 per cent within six months since taking over Tuesday afternoon slot in June 2024.
  • Set and review daily playlists of songs, maintaining on-trend music selections to engage listeners.
  • Provide weather, traffic and entertainment news updates.
  • Follow time cues to support seamless delivery of announcements.
  • Anticipate and address potential issues, preventing service disruptions.
  • Highlights of all my shows are subsequently put out on my website www.chrisdeacy.com.

TV Presenter

KMTV
Gillingham, Kent
07.2023 - Current
  • Presenter of weekly TV series Kent Film Club (KMTV) and six part national documentary series Generation Why (first broadcast October 2023, shortlisted in Sandford St. Martin 2024 Awards and funded by the BFI).
  • Memorise and deliver scripts.
  • Meet audiences' expectations while following directions of artistic director.
  • Adapt to changing live situations, performing improvisation when needed (as with 2024 overnight General Election special).
  • Research guests to develop profile and identify interesting questions.
  • Adapt to live events and changing situations - including appearing as the resident film and religious affairs expert on the live KMTV Kent Morning Show on Thursday mornings where I do not know in advance the topics or questions.
  • Showcase presenting skills across variety of mediums.
  • React to in-ear instructions to steer content and guests to meet piece timeframes.
  • Work flexibly to meet changing filming, timing and location demands.
  • Follow time cues to support seamless delivery of announcements.
  • Build rapport with guests and deliver engaging, responsive interviews.
  • Collaborate with production teams to understand and deliver running orders.
  • Read from autocues, delivering slick, professional script delivery.
  • Deliver announcements with appropriate tone of voice.

Lecturer/Senior Lecturer/Reader

University of Kent
Canterbury, Kent
09.2004 - 07.2024
  • Led a university department, line managed staff, was in charge of Student Support for School of Culture and Languages, EDI Officer and QA lead as Director of Studies.
  • Wrote six monographs including Screening the Afterlife (Routledge, 2012), Christmas as Religion (OUP, 2016) and Nostalgia, Religion and Popular Culture (Bloomsbury, 2025), three edited books and over 25 published academic articles plus over a thousand film reviews.
  • Offered academic and pastoral support to students requiring additional help.
  • Coordinated post- and undergraduate programmes for 20 years, supervised 12 MPhil/PhD students and external examiner for PhD students in other institutions in the UK or overseas.
  • Monitored students' progress against educational targets, implementing positive interventions.
  • Helped students secure meaningful work placements to improve practical subject understanding.
  • Designed exams, assessments and course content, including lecture material and setting assignments.
  • Engaged, motivated and inspired students to develop thirst for knowledge.
  • Lectured students using exceptional communication techniques to enhance engagement.
  • Significant impact work including being a juror at international film festivals at Locarno and Karlovy Vary, accredited journalist at Sundance 2023-present, keynote speaker at international conferences, and Public Orator at Canterbury Cathedral graduation ceremonies.
  • Helped students explore concepts through challenging assignments and stimulating class discussions.
  • Varied teaching strategies, catering to educational needs of young adults and mature students.
  • Tutored students needing extra assistance in group and one-to-one sessions, increasing attainment in line with predicted grades.
  • Scheduled regular meetings with students to discuss short-term and long-term goals.
  • Contributed to departmental and faculty meetings to continuously assess and improve internal practices.
  • Prepared and delivered lectures on diverse topics including religion, film, life after death, theology and philosophy.
  • Developed and improved courses to better serve students' needs and meet standards.
  • Modernised syllabus, updating with current research, new techniques, and latest findings to improve relevancy.

Education

Doctor of Philosophy - Religion and Film

University of Wales
04.2001 -

Master of Arts - Death and Immortality in Western Thought

University of Wales
04.2001 -

Bachelor of Arts - Theology

University of Wales
04.2001 -

A-Levels -

Bishop of Llandaff Church-in-Wales High School
Cardiff

GCSEs -

Bishop of Llandaff Church-in-Wales High School
Cardiff

Skills

  • Live Radio and TV presenting expertise
  • Journalist and host on KMTV, Cabin FM and Nostalgia Interviews podcast
  • Author of six monographs on film, religion, life after death, Christmas and nostalgia, plus edited books, articles and thousands of film reviews
  • Experienced university lecturer, researcher, Head of Department, Course Lead, Director of Studies, Director of Student Support
  • Juror at international film festivals and accredited journalist and film critic at Sundance
  • Archive of all film reviews, radio and TV appearances, including on BBC and community stations, at wwwchrisdeacycom

Affiliations

  • Lifetime diary-writing, daily cinema-going and film reviewing, editing vintage radio shows, hosting and editing 200-plus episode podcast on nostalgia, reading political biographies.

Testimonials

From students

  • 'Chris put together a fantastic module that was extremely organised, structured and interactive. It is because of this that I saw a growth in my confidence because he made the teaching environment relaxed and enjoyable.'
  • 'Although Chris was there to teach and to guide seminar discussions, he was also hugely encouraging with our own ideas...'
  • 'Above all, I give credit for Chris for ensuring that his students are all settled and happy throughout the course.'
  • 'If I ever sent an email, I could guarantee an instant response that was always detailed in order to help with whatever concern that I had. He is also very flexible as if I was unable to make an office hour, he always ensured an alternative so that I did not miss out.'
  • 'Chris is an engaging lecturer and seminar leader. He never fails to make the weekly topic interesting and thought provoking.'
  • 'Being a religious studies professor, he is always sure to make all points of view heard, and never pushes anyone to reveal their own personal beliefs. However, he makes people feel so comfortable and welcome in his classes that students freely share their stance, when they otherwise would not have done.'
  • 'Chris makes sure to be available as much as possible outside of class hours for anyone who needs his guidance, and is always up for a chat after seminars for those with extra questions.'
  • 'Chris is clearly passionate about what he does... But, more importantly, he shows an outstanding ability to make every single class member feel included, always asking questions rather than talking at us. This encourages even the shyest members of the class to provide an insight into the discussion, and ensures every voice is heard.'


From Cabin FM colleagues

  • 'First class... [your show] sounded BBC Radio Kent standard... superb.'
  • 'I think that you are a great addition to the Cabin FM 'family' and I am proud to say that I had a small part in showing you the ropes. When I listen to you, I find it hard to believe that you have not worked in Radio before. Your timing and general presenting skills are spot on. I hope that you have many more years with us!'
  • 'Congratulations to Chris Deacy for putting together a well thought out and first class Cabin Breakfast Club show this morning [covering the US Presidential results]. I must admit that I tuned in to get away from it all, but I found myself staying to the end. Well done Chris.'


From Kent Film Club and Nostalgia podcast guests and listeners

  • 'Love Chris Deacy's comfortable style of interviewing. He seems to know [his guests] well and asked very insightful questions. He must be that way with everyone which makes him brilliant at what he does.'
  • 'You do a great job! It's a real skill getting people to relax that much - you're very good at it!'
  • 'I do really think that it's a great show with a fantastically varied selection of guests all of whom give their best due to your excellent hosting.'

Timeline

Radio presenter

Cabin FM
06.2024 - Current

TV Presenter

KMTV
07.2023 - Current

Lecturer/Senior Lecturer/Reader

University of Kent
09.2004 - 07.2024

Doctor of Philosophy - Religion and Film

University of Wales
04.2001 -

Master of Arts - Death and Immortality in Western Thought

University of Wales
04.2001 -

Bachelor of Arts - Theology

University of Wales
04.2001 -

A-Levels -

Bishop of Llandaff Church-in-Wales High School

GCSEs -

Bishop of Llandaff Church-in-Wales High School
Chris Deacy