Matchmaking with ICRadio

Though Imperial College London is a large university of 23,000 students, finding meaningful connections can be difficult and often isolating. So introduce two students, Erika and Lily, with a mission to change this with their newly launched ICRadio show CupidsOnCampus. The show, which airs every Thursday from 5 to 6pm, aims to bring a fresh approach to student matchmaking, by offering a new platform for Imperial students to potentially find love – or at the very least, break the ice.

The concept

The main problem and solution is quite simple. “We thought it would take away some of the awkwardness of having a first date if we’re doing the ice-breaking for them.” Erika explains. The hosts will guide the initial conversation, ensuring participants don’t feel the pressure of making the first move or coming up with questions, which can often be very awkward and standard. The concept isn't completely new, as many YouTube Channels produce similar videos. However the idea of just listening in and keeping the couples faces unknown, offers a level of privacy that YouTube does not provide.

The episodes will be one hour long, where two individuals – matched due to their interests and preferences – will meet for the first time in ICRadio's studio. The catch? They will not know anything about the other person beforehand.

“In the beginning, we’ll start asking questions and facilitating the conversation, hoping they get along well. [...] I think we’re just going to ask about their dating history and what’s gone right in the past, what’s gone wrong in the past, and what they’re looking for. By the end of the hour, we’ll ask if they want to go on a date together.” Erika continues to explain.

Kicking off the show

Although the concept sounds straightforward, Erika admits that the launch was anything but smooth. For the first matchmaking session, hosted last Thursday, she commented that they “had about 15 responses so far, but people have been a bit apprehensive about being the first to participate. The idea of being on a public platform and potentially facing embarrassment is understandably daunting.”

The two founders use a Microsoft form to collect responses from interested participants, created an Instagram account and linked the form for their friends to see on social media. Students could fill out the form for themselves or even fill it out for their friends, filling in key details such as their interests, age, and what they’re looking for in a match. The two then uses this information to create the matches. Erika says they’re hoping the show will soon gain traction as more students hear about it and see it as a fun opportunity rather than a nerve-wracking experience.

How ICRadio comes in

Erika and Lily aren’t doing it all alone. ICRadio’s Head of Spoken Word, Amara, plays a vital role in supporting the show’s development and promoting it within the radio station. Amara’s goal is to increase the presence of talk shows and podcasts on ICRadio, a station dominated by music. “We’ve got a lot of DJs, so I’m trying to get more of the talk shows showing,” she says. The matchmaking show fits perfectly into that vision, offering something new to what ICRadio listeners are accustomed to.

Amara is also key in helping the show reach a larger audience. As part of the ICRadio Committee, she’s committed to ensure that talk-based shows like CupidsOnCampus are given the promotion and attention they deserve, potentially attracting more participants and listeners.

Prioritising comfort for participants

One major concern for participants has been the issue of privacy. Erika shared that their first match was hesitant about having the episode recorded and available online. “They don’t want it to be out there forever, especially if it’s awkward,” Erika explains. As a solution, they  decided not to upload matchmaking episodes to SoundCloud, allowing the interactions to remain a one-time experience for live listeners only.

Erika and Lily also want to make sure that their participants feel comfortable, emphasising that they won’t use real names if the guests prefer to stay anonymous. The focus is to ensure that the students can relax and enjoy the experience, without fear of embarrassment or long-term public exposure.

Encouraging participants

Despite some initial hesitation from participants, the response from the wider student body has been positive. The first-ever episode, which served as an introduction to the show’s concept, drew an impressive 19 listeners. “That’s quite high by IC Radio standards,” Erika said, noting that they were surprised by the turnout for their debut.

Erika and Lily hope to further develop the structure of the show. They plan to personalise the questions to each couple, tailoring conversations to shared interests. Additionally, they’re open to adding new elements, such as incorporating a live chat where listeners can send in questions or suggestions during the broadcast.

The next steps

As the show continues, Erika and Lily are excited to develop their process. If their participants do decide to go on a real date after the show, they hope to invite them back for a follow-up episode, where the couple can recap their experience. “We think it would be really cool to have them back and see how it went, just to encourage others to participate and show that it actually works,” says Erika.

Though it’s still early days for IC Radio’s matchmaking show, the enthusiasm and creativity of Erika, Lily, and ICRadio suggest that it could become part of Imperial College’s society and improve the dating scene.

As Erika says, “We’re speaking from our own experiences, and we just want to help others.”