Journalism teaching team shortlisted for NCTJ award for equality and diversity

Written by JMU Journalism Liverpool Life
December 14, 2023
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Polly Sharpe and Fran Yeoman receiving the Journalism’s department’s equality, diversity and inclusion award from LJMU.

The work of the Journalism department is being recognised by the industry at a national level in the field of equality, diversity and inclusivity.

The whole team has been shortlisted in the Equality and Diversity category in the NCTJ (National Council for the Training of Journalists) Awards for Excellence.

Almost 700 applications were received across 17 categories for the annual awards, which highlight those doing outstanding work in the media and training sector – as well as the achievements of individuals with promising careers ahead of them.

LJMU Journalism graduate, Paul McAuley, is also nominated for the Community News Project Award, for his work at the Liverpool Echo.

The news comes hot on the heels of a university-wide award for Teaching and Learning Excellence in the field of Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity, presented at a special ceremony attended by the Vice Chancellor, Mark Power.

Among the initiatives recognised is a partnership with the John Schofield Trust, which sees ten final year students from backgrounds often under-represented in the industry mentored by a professional journalist. Elsewhere, and LJMU was one of the first Universities in the country to partner with the BBC on its 50:50 project, aimed at gender equality.

The department also has a long-standing relationship with Index on Censorship, a leading human rights and free speech website and magazine that aims to give a platform to voices that are otherwise silenced around the world.

Course leader, Fran Yeoman, said: “It is brilliant to have the journalism team’s commitment to promoting equality and diversity recognised. There is still a long way to go but the journalism industry is making efforts to be more inclusive and we are determined to make sure that our talented students are part of that.”

Speaking after the awards ceremony, the Pro Vice-Chancellor for Student Experience, Professor Phil Vickerman, said: “What this evening has shown is the exceptional talent we have at LJMU within Teaching and Learning. It shows that education can be transformational and is powerful, but hearing these testimonials also shows one clear theme: that at LJMU we truly care about our students.”

 

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