Staff and former students from the University of Sheffield are celebrating after picking up three national industry awards. The National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) announced its Awards for Excellence winners last week at a ceremony in Manchester.
Alumni and students from the school have enjoyed overwhelming success in recent years' awards, with the 2022 ceremony proving to be no different.
The student journalist of the year award went to Sheffield alumni Alice Preece, who completed her NCTJ Diploma in Journalism at the University of Sheffield. Alice impressively achieved As across the board in her NCTJ exams, as well as 100 words per minute in her shorthand exams. Alice is now working as a digital PR executive with agency Rise at Seven,
Laura Parnaby, another Sheffield University graduate, picked up the NCTJ’s trainee data award. Currently working for PA Media, Laura won the award for her research Assaults on police officers up by 21% over lockdown, with rise in spitting.
For her work on a campaign to reinstate IVF in Cambridgeshire, Sheffield journalism alumni, Rosie Boon, was “highly commended” in the community news project award.
There was also recognition for the University of Sheffield’s BA Journalism degree, which was awarded the innovation of the year accolade, for the creation of a pioneering news project module. Led by Lisa Bradley, the Deputy Head of the school, the news module allows groups of students to run their own news organisations during the first semester of their final year.
The module has been incredibly successful, with students appearing on BBC breakfast to discuss their campaigns and working hard with local councils to appeal for real, impactful change.
A judge from the NCTJ awards described the module as “a truly original example of how a university course, linked with industry, can create far-reaching impact and can bring about real change.”
Lisa Bradley, who was instrumental in creating the module, collected the award. She shared the pride she felt for the school, tweeting a photo of the trophy with the caption “We did it!”.
Lisa said: “The NCTJ awards provide a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our Journalism students, both past and present. We are thrilled at the achievements of our school and former students and are very excited for all that is to come.
The award for innovation of the year helps maintain Sheffield’s reputation as a university that trains its journalists to be the best in class, both academically and practically.”
As the first in-person awards ceremony since 2019, the NCTJ awards recognise and reward the best journalism students, apprentices and trainees. The awards highlight the achievements of individuals with promising journalism careers ahead of them.
