Ms Julia Toppin
I am a Senior Lecturer of Media, Music and Enterprise in the School of Media and Communications at the University of Westminster.
I began my career as a supermarket manager and fell into television under the stewardship of Janet Street Porter and Nick Ferrari at L!VE TV. I spent ten years freelancing in television production and acquisitions, entertainment journalism, film distribution, and website production. I have worked for the British Film Institute, World Productions, Channel 4, 20th Century Fox, BBC, IMG, Metro Tartan, Tiger Aspect, DJ mag, The Quietus, The Guardian, The Voice and many others.
After reading Media and Communications at Goldsmiths College and completing a PGCE, I became a secondary school teacher of English and Media Studies. Subsequently I joined Jungle Drum and Bass imprint Digital 101 Recordings as a Label Manager and later read Music Business Management at the University of Westminster where I joined the Music teaching team upon completing my MA. In 2025 I also joined the Screen teaching team.
As the way I began my career in the creative industries was incredibly unique, I am passionately driven to help young people, especially those without privilege, gain access to sustainable careers in the creative industries with a particular focus on Television, Music, and Film. I am also interested in documenting the history of Jungle Drum and Bass.
I am an interdisciplinary researcher. I write critical Jungle Drum and Bass histories to uncover forgotten voices hidden in dominant narratives. My research has contributed to a significant increase in the representation of women in the Jungle Drum and Bass industries and an increased documentation of Jungle Drum and Bass in cultural and heritage institutions.
I research and write about cultural entrepreneurship, music cities, AI, virtual production, and representation.
I am the Project Director of student creative employability showcase, Playlist Westminster.
I am a board member of the International Music Business Research Association (IMBRA), an invited contributor to the Kristiansand Music Business Round Table, and a founding contributor of the African Music Business Round Table.
