Academics from around the UK and far beyond visited LJMU’s Redmonds Building as Liverpool hosted the Association of Journalism Education’s (AJE) annual summer conference.
The two-day AJE event was preceded by an additional symposium focusing on equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) and how this can be incorporated into the teaching of journalism at higher education level. All of the sessions across the programmes attracted significant and highly-engaged audiences.
The overall theme at the AJE gathering centred on ‘transformations’ and ‘transitions’ in the industry, with emphasis on ways that university courses and assignments can be designed, delivered and assessed to support the various challenges and opportunities that these represent.
The keynote speaker at the summer conference was the Guardian’s North of England Correspondent, Robyn Vinter, on why the lack of social diversity is a problem within the media.
Dr Lada Trifonova Price, a Senior Lecturer in Journalism at the University of Sheffield and the AJE’s Chair, said: “First of all, thank you [LJMU] for hosting us. It’s always great and we rely on the institutions for their generosity with hosting and providing the space for us to gather together.
![Robyn Vinter of the Guardian delivers the keynote address at the AJE Summer Conference at LJMU’s Redmonds Building. Photo courtesy of @TheAJEUK / X](https://jmu-journalism.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_3821-300x239.jpeg)
“This is the only event that we have that’s actually in person as the rest are organised online. It’s a great opportunity for people to meet and the best thing that happens is not so much in the lecture theatre, but outside with all these conversations where we see some old faces and new faces.
“When I talk to people and ask ‘what did you take out of this?’ they say that it’s the supportive, friendly environment and sharing of best practice, finding out what everybody else is doing. Also, knowing if it’s your first time presenting or just starting on a project, you’re going to find a friendly face and somebody to say ‘well, how about that… have you considered this?’ without any punishing questions or anything like that.”
Speaking about the EDI conference, Fran Yeoman, Programme Leader for Journalism at Liverpool John Moores University, said: “We had two big topics on the agenda, both of which are central to what we try to do at JMU Journalism; how do we train the next generation of reporters to be inclusive in their reporting, and how do we work with major media industry players to diversify the journalism workforce and ensure equality of opportunity for talented young people whatever their backgrounds.
“Both are massive challenges and the conference was a great opportunity for our team to share ideas with other educators, senior working journalists and our own students.”
Wednesday June 26
@JMUJournalism programme leader @franyeoman welcomes delegates to the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Journalism Teaching conference @LJMU pic.twitter.com/Ocx1B3TGez
— JMU Journalism (@JMUJournalism) June 26, 2024
Gurvinder Aujla-Sidhu, Associate Professor at the University of Derby, gives the first talk at the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Journalism Teaching conference @LJMU. Her lecture focuses on steps lecturers can take when planning / delivering assessments that are inclusive pic.twitter.com/kgqMuCMAUf
— JMU Journalism (@JMUJournalism) June 26, 2024
A panel discussion is forming the next phase of the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Journalism Teaching conference @LJMU pic.twitter.com/rIvjp2TJHw
— JMU Journalism (@JMUJournalism) June 26, 2024
Jody Doherty-Cove, Head of Editorial AI at Newsquest, starts the afternoon session at the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Journalism Teaching conference @LJMU by looking at representation and bias in AI @JodyyDC pic.twitter.com/d2MWYYopXs
— JMU Journalism (@JMUJournalism) June 26, 2024
Covering sport is the latest focus at the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Journalism Teaching conference @LJMU as lecturers share their experiences pic.twitter.com/TIfiqJfj4i
— JMU Journalism (@JMUJournalism) June 26, 2024
A pleasure talking at the @LJMU @JMUJournalism EDI conference today. Lots of useful takeaways. Lots of work still to be done #journalism #sportsjournalism #EDI #equality #diversity #inclusion pic.twitter.com/ffDODGa79h
— David Randles (@DavidRandles) June 26, 2024
Discussions surrounding helping students from education to industry and an interactive session led by Lee Hall, chair of the NCTJ’s Social Mobility Taskforce, brought today’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Journalism Teaching conference @JMUJournalism to a close.
— JMU Journalism (@JMUJournalism) June 26, 2024
Thursday June 27
It’s literally a warm welcome for the delegates visiting @TheAJEUK Summer Conference @LJMU’s Redmonds Building on a gorgeous sunny day in Liverpool. @JMUJournalism #AJE24 pic.twitter.com/8cxnTdVvha
— JMU Journalism (@JMUJournalism) June 27, 2024
Hello, my old friend! Lovely to back in Liverpool for the @TheAJEUK Conference hosted by @LJMU @JMUJournalism after two days at @uochester for the @PlacePeriodical event – it’s been a while since I’ve been in the city but loved it when I worked here, so great to be back! #AJE24 pic.twitter.com/cioezPEktj
— Caroline Jones (@CarolineV_Jones) June 27, 2024
Psychological resilience and transitioning from the classroom to the newsroom is the theme of the first panel discussion as @TheAJEUK’s annual Summer Conference begins in Liverpool @LJMU #AJE24 pic.twitter.com/vqiyLv6iEI
— JMU Journalism (@JMUJournalism) June 27, 2024
Transformations in journalism education are in the spotlight now @TheAJEUK Summer Conference @LJMU @JMUJournalism #AJE24 pic.twitter.com/MYH6DsTuAX
— JMU Journalism (@JMUJournalism) June 27, 2024
@TheAJEUK Focusing on journalism education can often become bogged down with admin and “how we position ourselves in the (academic) space” @MagsNews7 pic.twitter.com/wheaF7M1nV
— Dr. James Mahon, Journalist (SFHEA) (@JamesMahonTV) June 27, 2024
Some terrific ideas coming forward from students here – and as the next generation of news consumers as well as news producers, we should be taking note. Thanks to @CarolineV_Jones for sharing at our summer conference. #AJE24 pic.twitter.com/37vcav7AV1
— TheAJEUK (@TheAJEUK) June 27, 2024
@jopayton Describing to @TheAJEUK delegates in Liverpool the key role creativity plays in education pic.twitter.com/6TKI64EGtN
— Dr. James Mahon, Journalist (SFHEA) (@JamesMahonTV) June 27, 2024
Changing perspectives. Research comparing journalism education in the UK over nearly two decades is our third presentation of this panel at #AJE24 pic.twitter.com/WCzrapRN89
— TheAJEUK (@TheAJEUK) June 27, 2024
Really thrilled to present my project on empowering students as change agents through our @DerbyUni Transforming Journalism Conference at the @TheAJEUK conference at @LJMU @JMUJournalism today – great questions and feedback! #AJE24 https://t.co/6piZEkCA39
— Caroline Jones (@CarolineV_Jones) June 27, 2024
The afternoon session of the first day @TheAJEUK Summer Conference begins @LJMU @JMUJournalism with presenters Rachel Ammonds & Christine Challand from the University of Worcester @uowjour taking a look at bad news and how student journalists should approach it. #AJE24 pic.twitter.com/J5CDmezMYx
— JMU Journalism (@JMUJournalism) June 27, 2024
@Mrawlins1974 @TheAJEUK #AJE24 delivering an emotive and necessary presentation focusing on responsible and ethical reporting on #DomesticAbuse @sheffjournalism @womensaid pic.twitter.com/vbgyeiARBx
— Dr. James Mahon, Journalist (SFHEA) (@JamesMahonTV) June 27, 2024
Next up at #AJE24 in Liverpool is Session 3, Envisioning Transformation, chaired by @CarolineV_Jones. #uniWorcester's Rachel Ammonds and Christine Challand on Dealing with Bad News up first pic.twitter.com/43RQbZNlZZ
— TheAJEUK (@TheAJEUK) June 27, 2024
It's now time for our fourth and final panel of the day at the #AJE24 conference – looking at media transformations. Up first is @AccidentalPO, exploring the shaping of news – a framework for understanding & analysing the consequences of changes and transformations in journalism pic.twitter.com/RRpMvNYcBG
— TheAJEUK (@TheAJEUK) June 27, 2024
We're now hearing from @MariaKonowLund1 from @OsloMet about the construction of a local ecology of information and media in a news desert – looking at the suburb of Holmlia in Oslo, Norway #AJE24 pic.twitter.com/YKqaiyA4OL
— TheAJEUK (@TheAJEUK) June 27, 2024
Our panel concludes with lively discussions about how journalists can still hold organisations to account as the media industry transforms to place the power in the hands of different publishers #AJE24 pic.twitter.com/uVrlUHAHQl
— TheAJEUK (@TheAJEUK) June 27, 2024
In her keynote speech, @RobynVinter talks about the challenges facing working-class students wanting to enter the journalism industry – including that they may need to know it is the profession they definitely want to enter, to give themselves the best chance to achieve it #AJE24 pic.twitter.com/72wafGYCnD
— TheAJEUK (@TheAJEUK) June 27, 2024
Another day, another conference hosted by @JMUJournalism @LJMU Lots of really interesting talks by @TheAJEUK journalism educators. Delighted to share my ongoing PhD research on the digital transformation of football coverage ⚽️📲💻 ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/p14q4hKAQf
— David Randles (@DavidRandles) June 27, 2024
Glass of fizz to celebrate day one #aje2024 pic.twitter.com/XaxTYpfW2v
— Lindsay Pantry (@Lindsay_Pantry) June 27, 2024
Friday June 28
Had a fantastic first day at @TheAJEUK Summer Conference yesterday at @LJMU @JMUJournalism and really enjoyed representing @DerbyUni by showcasing our Transforming Journalism Conference. Looking forward to day two! #AJE24 https://t.co/mIJlU50G4I
— Caroline Jones (@CarolineV_Jones) June 28, 2024
Day two of the #AJE24 Summer Conference at @LJMU @JMUJournalism begins with a panel discussion entitled future-proofing – exploring opportunity in a changing world of work pic.twitter.com/TSKs1FQZ0w
— TheAJEUK (@TheAJEUK) June 28, 2024
Some very interesting discussions at this #AJE24 panel so far, as well as some great questions from the audience. It's clear there are some challenges for the future of journalism but also some great opportunities too for new journalists looking to try different things.
— TheAJEUK (@TheAJEUK) June 28, 2024
The final question of this #AJE24 panel – if all journalism degree courses were rewritten tomorrow, what should they include?
And @johngibbonsblog: How to become a self-sufficient production machines— TheAJEUK (@TheAJEUK) June 28, 2024
An interesting approach has been taken by Daisy Naylor and Julia Breen @sunderlanduni by using AI to facilitate a simulated disaster reporting scenario. #AJE24 pic.twitter.com/aniZnbjm13
— JMU Journalism (@JMUJournalism) June 28, 2024
And finally on this #AJE24 panel is @trustmatsilele and @RachelAnnDC of @MyBCU, looking at innovative journalism teaching approaches in higher education – a global north-south comparison pic.twitter.com/yhCW4FLz7e
— TheAJEUK (@TheAJEUK) June 28, 2024
Onto our final panel of the day and of the #AJE24 Conference, chaired by @ladaprice, on transitions into journalism education. Opening is @danielmcarey from @journalismatUL – talking about navigating those transitions, with insights from former journalists-turned educators pic.twitter.com/TQkrbeteAG
— TheAJEUK (@TheAJEUK) June 28, 2024
Finally, for our last speaker of this panel and of the #AJE24 Conference, we have @JamesMahonTV from @UniWestScotland – whose presentation looks at emerging challenges in post-pandemic British higher education for students of Pakistani origin pic.twitter.com/3ITGop7k0h
— TheAJEUK (@TheAJEUK) June 28, 2024