University Workshops Aim to Foster Next Generation of Journalists

Budding student journalists from across Lincolnshire will get the chance to learn from the professionals when the University of Lincoln hosts a programme of free workshops later this month.

From March 10-12, the University will welcome 10 secondary school students from Grimsby and Alford to gain first-time journalism experience and learn the tricks of the trade from their academics whose wealth of experience comes from working at organisations such as the BBC, Sky News, and The Guardian.

The students will get the chance to use state-of-the-art industry equipment and software as they take part in interactive workshops, real news events, as well as practical digital, audio and video sessions.

Working with experienced journalism lecturers, they will also hear from renowned guest speakers about the realities of being a journalist, what makes a good story, how journalism can change the world, and much more.

At the end of the three-day programme, the students will leave with a package of digital and broadcast content that they’ve created, and the basic skills needed to thrive – and have fun – in the world of journalism.

The package will be published and broadcast on the School of Education and Communication’s news site, LSJ News, and entered into a national award fund by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ).

The programme is being offered for free, including all travel costs, thanks to a £4,500 grant from the NCTJ – as part of their outreach project, which aims to encourage young people aged 14 to 18-years from disadvantaged backgrounds to enter journalism.

Tim Greenfield, Project Leader and Senior Lecturer in Journalism, said: “We are delighted to be one of the few centres in the UK to have been chosen to run this project.

“We are looking forward to hosting the students and showing them what being a journalist entails, and giving them some great skills and experience too.”