St Mary’s Student Awarded Bursary from Journalism Diversity Fund

MA Sports Journalism student at St Mary’s University, Twickenham Adam Samuel has been awarded a bursary from the Journalism Diversity Fund.

Adam attended a reception with leading journalists, editors and industry professionals from across the UK in central London on Wednesday 18th October, to receive a bursary from the Journalism Diversity Fund (JDF). Hosted by the National Council for the Training of Journalists at Google's London offices, Adam joined 18 other recipients, who will receive funding support from the news industry for this academic year.

The day began with a seminar on diversity in journalism led by Bloomberg executive editor Jacqueline Simmons who claimed that 'digital news is more diverse than traditional print media'. She was joined on stage by Buzzfeed news editor Elizabeth Pears and Trinity Mirror Editorial trainer Suchandrika Chakrabati.  

Adam said, “The event was excellent for me in terms of connecting with industry professionals and peers of a similar ethnic or cultural background. The two panel discussions, on ethnic diversity and on disability, were both hugely inspirational and motivational and allowed me to visualise more clearly my own entry point into the industry.”

Programme Director for Communications at St Mary’s, Dr Daragh Minogue added, “Adam can be proud of securing his bursary, it's a competitive process and a real achievement. He is the fourth student at St Mary's to receive a bursary from the JDF. It underlines that we are at the forefront of promoting diversity in sports journalism.”

St Mary's University sports journalism graduate, Gemma Stevenson, who received a JDF bursary in 2015, spoke about how the fund helped kick-start her career and the challenges she faced working as a reporter for the BBC. 

Adam noted he is looking forward to becoming a, “recognisable voice in the world of sport” adding, having gained some excellent contacts and advice he feels he can: “…work towards this goal with confidence.”

St Mary’s MA Sports Journalism is a one-year practical sports journalism course that is professionally accredited by the National Council for the Training of Journalists.

The course offers one of the best routes into the industry, aiming to train students to become journalists for the digital age covering everything from the traditional match report to the latest skills in multimedia journalism. Graduates of the programme work in every sector of the industry, including the BBC, Sky Sports News, BT Sport, CNN, Perform, IMG and national newspapers.

As part of a suite of new undergraduate communications programmes, next September will see the launch of BA in Sports Communications and Marketing. Designed in collaboration with industry experts, it reflects the growing demand for creative and digitally literate graduates with strong marketing communication skills keen to work in the sports industries.

 Through the Sports Communications and Marketing programme, St Mary’s will work closely with some of the leading sports communication and marketing companies in London to offer outstanding work placements to prepare young people for a range of exciting careers in sport, business and media.