University of Brighton scores nomination for top journalism award

Our Sport Journalism BA(Hons) programme’s virtual exchange partnership with University of Florida has been shortlisted for Innovation of the Year in the 2020 National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) Awards for Excellence.

The degree’s pioneering tele-collaborative exchange was launched in February 2020, which saw students from both sides of The Atlantic work together during live, synchronous classes and create collaborative multimedia projects over two months.

It is the second time in three years that the Sport Journalism degree has been nominated for the Innovation of the Year category by the NCTJ, after being shortlisted and eventually winning in 2018 for the Premier League Apprenticeship with Brighton and Hove Albion Football Club.

Sport Journalism course leader, Owen Evans, said: “It’s more important than ever to find new ways to improve student experience, and the partnership with University of Florida not only helped to internationalise our course offering, but it also provided a range of digital communication skills that have been fundamental to studying during a global pandemic.

“Innovation is at the heart of what we do, so it’s fantastic to be recognised by the NCTJ in this area for the second time in three years.”

Sport Journalism graduate, Jamie Phillips, who achieved a first-class degree and the NCTJ Gold Diploma in 2018, has also been nominated for the NCTJ’s prestigious Trainee of the Year Award for his campaigning work against misspent council funds at Surrey Live as a senior reporter.

Jamie said: “The skills I developed and honed at the University of Brighton and through the NCTJ accreditation form a fundamental part of my every day work as a journalist.

“This principally includes having 100wpm shorthand and a detailed knowledge of both criminal and media law, which allow me to cover the country’s biggest court cases and write stories that are read by hundreds of thousands of people.

“In an ever-increasingly competitive industry, I cannot stress the importance of having a skillset that sets you apart from your competitors. I know from first-hand experience that NCTJ certificates are looked upon very favourably.

“I am thankful to all lecturers who taught me at the University of Brighton for underlining these sentiments and for paving the way for me to become a multi-award winning journalist.”

A record-breaking 417 entries were received across 15 categories, in addition to the students and trainees eligible for the student and trainee of the year awards. Some 54 students, trainees, apprentices, journalists and training providers have been shortlisted in the NCTJ Awards for Excellence 2020.

Leeds Trinity University and News Associates joined University of Brighton on the shortlist for the Innovation of the Year award, which aims to encourage and recognise innovation in journalism education and training.

Awards will also be presented to the colleges, universities and independent providers with the top performing NCTJ-accredited courses based on students’ performance in the Diploma in Journalism.

The winners will be announced in a virtual ceremony in March.