DELEGATE BROCHURE #SPANC21 is proudly sponsored by
Chair’s Welcome If you’d told us at the SPA a year ago that we wouldn’t just be holding our next National Conference online, but the next two, I don’t think any of us would’ve dared believe you, and it is a shame that we aren’t able to meet up in person again this year. In-person SPANC is a fantastic opportunity to come together, share ideas, hear from some great speakers, and have a great party at the awards ceremony. Thankfully, with #SPANC21, we’ve done our best to try to capture some of that magic, with more workshops than last year, more sessions, and a greater opportunity for you to chat more with your colleagues around the UK and Republic of Ireland. This past 12 months has undoubtedly been a challenging one for all of our member publications. But I’ve been truly impressed – as I know the rest of the SPA team have too – with your efforts to keep persevering, innovating and fighting to ensure your students on campus are represented. That’s reflected in the standard of nominations for the SPA Awards this year, where we saw a record number of nominations, and such a high level of quality. Hopefully, with #SPANC21, we’re able to give you a chance to find out more about the media, the next steps in your career, and how you can keep working to improve your student publication, completely free of charge. It’s a pleasure to have you joining us, and we hope you like what we’ve got in store! I’d like to say a personal thank you to the team for helping put #SPANC21, and our speakers and sponsors for taking the time to support us. We’ve got a great event in store, so enjoy!
Ben Warner
Ben Warner Student Publication Association Chair 2020/21
Thank you to our #SPANC21 sponsors Headline sponsor
Lead sponsors
Awards in partnership with
Meet the #SPANC21 team The 2021 Student Publication Association National Conference wouldn’t have been possible without the hard work and dedication of the members of our team, as well as all our speakers, sponsors and, of course, the student journalists attending from around the UK and Republic of Ireland!
Ben Warner Chair
Katie Evans Events Officer
Matilda Head Comms Officer
Charlotte Colombo Training Officer
Uditi Singh Sponsorship Officer
Jem Collins Trustee
Geri Scott Trustee
Bree Allegretti Trustee
Conor Matchett Trustee
Richard Brooks Trustee
Chris Chohan Trustee
Juliet Rix Trustee
Fiachra Johnston Digital Media Officer
Roo Pitt Alumni Officer
Chris Matthews London RO
Francisca Quádrio Midlands RO
Saturday timetable 10:40
Welcome to #SPANC21 - Opening Session
11:00-11:50 Room 1 - Freedom of Information with News Associates Room 2 - Starting your own publication Room 3 - Science journalism
12:00-12:50 Room 1 - Freelance journalism 13:00-13:50 Room 1 - In conversation with Alison Phillips Room 2 - Reporting on LGBTIQA+ Issues
14:00-14:50 Room 1 - Covering government and the economy with Bloomberg Room 2 - Media and journalism 1-2-1 Sessions Room 3 - Personal essays and trauma reporting
15:00-15:50 Room 1 - Making your social media stand out to employers Room 2 - Football journalism Room 3 - Lifestyle journalism
16:00-16:50 Room 1 - Tackling disinformation in the media
Room 2 - Everything you want to know about media law
17:00-17:50 Room 1 - Pitching for beginners
Room 2 - In conversation with Teri Schultz
18:30
SPA Annual General Meeting 2021
Sunday timetable 11:00-11:50 Room 1 - Financial & data journalism with City University Room 2 - Getting into podcasting Room 3 - NCTJ, Masters or nothing at all? Your next step
12:00-12:50 Room 1 - In conversation with Huw Edwards
Room 2 - The basics of investigative journalism
13:00-13:50 Room 1 - Freelancing as a student
Room 2 - Student publication swap shop and showcase Room 3 - Social media journalism
14:00-14:50 Room 1 - How to prepare for your first job interview, with Sky News Room 2 - Unions and Unis: Navigating Difficult Relationships Room 3 - Reporting on Disability Issues
15:00-15:50 Room 1 - Reporting on race, culture and social issues Room 2 - Making a successful newsletter Room 3 - Interactive CV workshop with Jobs Bored
16:00-16:50 Room 1 - Getting into and succeeding in journalism Room 2 - Design drop-in sessions
17:00-17:50 Room 1 - In conversation with Anushka Asthana Room 2 - Breaking into sports journalism
19:00
SPA National Awards 2021
Annual General Meeting While our National Conference is a great opportunity to bring lots of student journalists from around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland together, it also holds another vital role in the SPA calendar – playing host to the Annual General Meeting. This meeting is where members are given the opportunity to hear reports from the Executive Committee and Trustees about the activities of the charity since the previous AGM, scrutinise accordingly, as well as vote on motions and in elections. At this year’s AGM, we’re electing five new Executive Officers, as well as a Trustee. All individual members are eligible to run for any role – all you have to do is give a one minute speech (two minutes for Chair) about why you’d be the best candidate for the role, and answer any questions from the members, before we go to a vote. In all votes, each member publication has one vote to cast, and with three motions on the agenda as well as the election of a new Officer team and Trustee, this year’s AGM will be really important for determining the direction of the SPA. All members and ticket-holders have had the chance to sign up to attend the AGM, but if you’d like to attend, and haven’t had the link sent to you, please email chair@spajournalism.com and we’ll do our best to facilitate. This year’s AGM is taking place at 6:30pm on Saturday 8 May, after the final sessions of #SPANC21 Saturday, so why not come along, find out how you can get involved, and maybe run for a position? If you want to find out more about the roles available, please reach out to a member of the SPA team to find out more!
#SPANC21 Speakers A huge thank you goes to our speakers for giving up time during a hectic time of the year to come speak to delegates about the media, and taking the next steps in their careers!
Huw Edwards BBC
Anushka Asthana Guardian
Alison Phillips Daily Mirror
Andrew Greaves News Associates
Jane Martinson City University
Nivrita Ganguly AFP
Kim Darrah Tortoise
Glyn Mottershead City University
Michael Goodier New Statesman
#SPANC21 Speakers
Lizzy Burden Bloomberg
Madis Kabash Bloomberg
Joe Mayes Bloomberg
Christine Ochefu Freelance
Shahed Ezaydi AURELIA
Shayma Bakht Investigative journalist
David Banks Media law expert
Marianna Spring BBC
James Toney Beat Media Group
#SPANC21 Speakers
Zoya Raza-Sheikh Gay Times
Ben Pechey Valentino Vecchietti Journalist and author DIVA Magazine
Charlotte Moore Freelance
Michele Thiel MyLondon
Renuka Odedra Sports journalist
Meehika Barua Freelance
Caroline Harrap Freelance
Charlie Peters Freelance
#SPANC21 Speakers
Chandni Sembhi ViacomCBS
Elle Rudd Metro
Kassy Cho Almost
Claudia Walder Able Zine
Rachel CharltonDailey Freelance
Hannah Shewan Stevens Freelance
Jack Sommers Business Insider
Beth Ashley Killing Kittens
Dhruva Balram EachOther
#SPANC21 Speakers
Dalmeet Singh Chawla Freelance
Roger Highfield Science Museum Group
Anjana Ahula Financial Times
Bethany Dawson Freelance
Sumaiya Ahmed Freelance
Zesha Saleem Freelance
Jennifer Hakim The Spill
Chris Megrath Mercury Magazine
Geo Blackman Happy People Music
Awards Shortlists
Congratulations to all shortlistees!
Best Publication Sponsored by News Associates Cherwell, University of Oxford Epigram, University of Bristol Nouse, University of York Palatinate, Durham University Platform, Nottingham Trent University The Boar, University of Warwick The Cheese Grater, UCL The Courier, Newcastle University The Oxford Blue, University of Oxford York Vision, University of York
Best Reporter Sponsored by The Printing Charity Colin Vanelli, The Beaver Filiz Emily Gurer, Epigram Joe McFadden, The Mancunion Luke Payne, Palatinate Matt Branston, Concrete Nicole Karageorgi, The Boar Perkin Amalaraj, York Vision Rebecca Spencer, Kingston Courier Riddhi Kanetkar, The Cheese Grater Toby Donegan-Cross, Palatinate
Billy Dowling-Reid Award Ella Johnson, Leicester Student Magazine Imogen Usherwood and Tash Mosheim, Palatinate Isobel Helme, Pi Media Jess Walmsley, The Mancunion Jonathan Wellington, Nouse Marino Unger-Verna, Roar News Matt Branston, Concrete Morgan McMillan, The Edge Siavash Minoukadeh, Epigram Zainab Bikar, Leicester Student Magazine
Best Specialist Publication KCL Pharmacologist, KCL LittleLaw, University of Nottingham The Byline Club, University of Strathclyde The Economic Tribune, UCL The Lemon Press, University of York The Mic Magazine, University of Nottingham theGIST, Glasgow universities
Best News Story Sponsored by Sky News Annabel Mulliner, Nouse Anttoni James Numminen, The Gaudie Becky Gelder and Charlie Young, Redbrick Chelsea Abott and Matt Shaw, The Linc Daniella Theis and Orla McCarthy, Strathclyde Telegraph Iwan Stone, York Vision
John Wimperis, Redbrick Kalli Dockrill and Margot Harvey, The Isis Magazine Lucy Dunn and Luke Chafer, Glasgow Guardian Toby Donegan-Cross, Will Hutchings and ‘Rose Kohen’, Palatinate
Awards Shortlists Best Overall Digital Media Sponsored by Women In Journalism Aff The Record, University of Strathclyde Empoword Journalism Epigram, University of Bristol Impact, University of Nottingham Palatinate, Durham University The Beaver, LSE The Boar, University of Warwick The Edge, University of Southampton Trinity News, TCD York Vision, University of York
Best Website Epigram, University of Bristol GUM, University of Glasgow Impact, University of Nottingham Kingston Courier, Kingston University Nouse, University of York Palatinate, Durham University The Edge, University of Southampton The Gaudie, University of Aberdeen The Stag, University of Surrey York Vision, University of York
Best Newcomer Publication Aff The Record, University of Strathclyde Empoword Journalism Leicester Student Magazine, University of Leicester Res Publica, New College of the Humanities Tales From Lockdown, Scottish universities
Best Science Pub/Section Epigram, University of Bristol Forge Press, University of Sheffield Impact, University of Nottingham Kinesis Magazine, UCL Palatinate, Durham University The Mancunion, University of Manchester theGIST, Glasgow universities
Best Sports Coverage Sponsored by News Associates Epigram, University of Bristol Exeposé, University of Exeter Forge Press, University of Sheffield Gair Rhydd, University of Cardiff Nouse, University of York Palatinate, Durham University Redbrick, University of Birmingham The Boar, University of Warwick
Glasgow Guardian, University of Glasgow The Linc, University of Lincoln
Awards Shortlists Best Science/Tech Piece Alexander Hancock, Kinesis Magazine Amelia Cummins, The Mancunion Claire Thomson, Glasgow Guardian Gwydion Elliott, Redbrick Hannah Drew, The Boar Natalia Pieniazek, GUM Nina Chen, Trinity News Sam Bronheim, The Mancunion Sarah Veale, York Vision Zainab Patel, Leicester Student Magazine
Best Comment Piece Abigail Howe, Cherwell Ally Smith, Nouse Angus Colwell, Pi Media Annabel Frost, Strand Magazine Annie Dabb, The Mancunion Claudia Sofia, InQuire Media Daniel Esson, InQuire Media Jade Calder, The Oxford Blue Kate Henshaw, Trinity News Lucinda Dodd, Impact
Best Interview Alana Daly Mulligan, Motley Magazine Bethany Dawson, Incite Charlotte Lear, Nouse Dolly Carter, Concrete Iwan Stone, York Vision Jenna Luxon, Nouse Kate Waldock, Quench Magazine Meghann Patterson, GUM Millie Gibson, Bath Time Tímea Koppándi, InQuire Media William Warnes, Concrete
Best Lifestyle Piece Alero Adisa, Incite Celia Bergin, The Boar Emily Harvie, Nouse Emily Hay, Glasgow Guardian Ewan Jones, Palatinate Holly Palmer, York Vision Jasmine Parker, The Boar Lily Holbrook, The Courier Olivia Hill, Forge Press Rebecca Norris, The Boar
Best Human Rights Story Sponsored by EachOther Annabel Mulliner, Nouse Anu Olaloku, Leicester Student Magazine Daniella Theis, Strathclyde Telegraph Ella Robinson, The Mancunion Ellie Ng, Kingston Courier Hailie Pentleton, Glasgow Guardian Jamie Salem Dalgety and Ethan Marshall, Glasgow Guardian
Jane Herbelin, GUM Matthew King, Nouse Na Qing, Platform Zaman Keinath-Esmail, The Oxford Blue
Awards Shortlists Best Feature Cerys Turner, The Boar Colin Vanelli, The Beaver Elise Hamersley, Exeposé Jade Calder, The Oxford Student Lily Morl and Rhodri Andrews, Invicta Louis Griffin, The Mic Magazine Matthew Prudham, Palatinate Riddhi Kanetkar, The Cheese Grater Tobi Dada, Incite Vanessa Mabelle, The Boar
Best Magazine Design Sponsored by City, University of London GUM, University of Glasgow Impact, University of Nottingham Quench Magazine, University of Cardiff Raze Magazine, Kingston University RAZZ Magazine, University of Exeter Sappho, London Metropolitan University Strand Magazine, KCL The Magdalen, University of Dundee YOUNG Magazine, London Metropolitan University
Best Student Photographer Amana Moore, Palatinate Antonio Ross, The Mancunion Iwan Stone, York Vision Lily Morl, Invicta Rebekah Lowri, Forge Press Roo Pitt, Concrete Rufus Atkins, Epigram
Best Newspaper Design Sponsored by City, University of London Epigram, University of Bristol Nouse, University of York Pi Media, UCL The Boar, University of Warwick The University Observer, UCD York Vision, University of York
Best Arts/Entertainment Piece Abigail Howe, Cherwell Brooke Davies and Iwan Stone, York Vision Charlie Gaskell, York Vision Emma Wilkes, The Boar Flo Cornall, Forge Press Glory Chan, The Boar theGIST, Glasgow universities Hailie Pentleton, Glasgow Guardian
Jay Darcy, The Mancunion Katy Scott, Strathclyde Telegraph William Foxton, Cherwell
Enjoy our 2021 National Conference!
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