Josep Maria Palau is a lecturer of the  Department of Communication at UPF and director of  UPF Ràdio. He worked as editor and coordinator of Catalunya Informació and as a special envoy at various armed conflicts in Algeria and the Balkans. He has a long track record as a travel journalist in different media such as La Vanguardia  and National Geographic , where he still works today.

- When was UPF Ràdio born? What needs did it seek to cover?

UPF Ràdio was born in January 2007, instigated by the office of the Vice-rector for the University Community and within the framework of the Journalism studies. The initiative went ahead with the aim of allowing better communication between the members of the university community and at the same time offering a powerful teaching tool, in addition to providing external visibility to the University. 

- You have renewed the UPF Ràdio website. What motivated you to do so? 

With the passage of time the website had become obsolete, very static and not very friendly in view of the increasing importance of social networks in our daily lives. We also took advantage of renewing the website to recover and make available to everyone all of the past programmes made since the station was founded.

- Apart from its dynamism and bringing it closer to the students of the University community, what new techniques will the new website have, compared to the previous portal?

One of the most notable is the adoption of iVoox technology, which is now used by lots of commercial radio stations. The online platform allows playing, downloading and sharing audio highly effectively, graphically and efficiently. The information of the different programmes is also presented in playlist format and supports direct subscriptions and consumption via mobile devices. This is perfect for sharing programmes as well as all kinds of sound resources, from classes to lectures, for example. And, most importantly, the essence of radio is recovered since you can play contents from anywhere, at any time and while you are doing other things. 

- Is this project aimed only at students of the Faculty of Communication or is it designed to be cross-cutting?

UPF Ràdio is the radio of the Pompeu, I mean, it belongs to everyone who wishes to join in and take part in it. Those who have no training concerning radio will receive training. And there will also be a place for those who just want to express their ideas in sound blog format. We are open to all kinds of suggestions and contributions.

- Do you think that this new model will help to make this project more visible?

Absolutely. The University radio is an open door for students and lecturers to express their concerns and opinions as well as the different groups that belong to it. For sure more than one will discover or rediscover this channel and will be encouraged to start their own initiative.

- Speaking of content, what are the new proposals for the programme schedule?

As UPF Ràdio is an online station -the first to be 100% digital in the whole of Spain-, new additions to the programming came about throughout the year and not just at the beginning of the season. For now, all of the programming under the Cetrencada (Cedilla) brand that is being worked on in the Integrated Workshop of the bachelor's degree in Journalism as well as the in-depth reports that are broadcast in parallel via Barcelona FM are continuing. Long-standing programmes like La carn d'olla (Meat stew) remain in the schedule. And as regards collaborations with the State University Radio Association (ARU), to which we belong, we are continuing with the Semillas de ciencia (Seeds of Science) science outreach network project and "Europhonica" (Europhonics) has already been launched, a radio programme that focuses on the European Union, its institutions and the concept of citizenship.

- Regarding the ARU, which shared projects are being promoted?

We have several programmes that are being worked on in a network, but initiatives are also being got underway to produce a collective news programme to reflect ​​the dynamism of all the universities in Spain and other countries with which exchange agreements are being signed. Consultancy and support services are also given to those who wish to launch a new radio station, publications are written on the potential of sound language... Debates and conferences are also organized around radio. If all goes well, next year UPF will host the ARU annual meeting, a time that is always taken advantage of for at least one day of reflection on the media.

- You are also working at European level. What does the project in which the University radio is involved consist of?

UPF Ràdio participates in the Youth European Stance (YES) project, which gives rise to the creation of the Europhonica radio programmes, designed to spread the work of the European institutions from the perspective of students who do a stage there.

- What essential tips would you give people who want to get into the world of radio?

The most important thing today is to understand that sound-based environments are extremely topical. We all liked to be told tales as children, and that is what verbal communication does so perfectly: enhance the imagination of the listener. Today's radio goes beyond its traditional formats and becomes an environment in which to explain oneself and share through soundscapes. In short, whoever wants to do radio should be especially eager to narrate and listen.