NCTJ Awards recognise excellence in journalism training

The NCTJ Awards for Excellence recognised the educators and organisations going above and beyond to support the training of the next generation of journalists, highlighting the crucial role they play in shaping quality, safe and inclusive journalism.

Among the honours was the Chair’s Award, presented to Professor Lisa Bradley, a leading voice in journalism education, trauma-aware training and the NCTJ’s work on safety and resilience.

Sue Brooks, chair of the NCTJ, said: “Lisa’s influence can be seen across journalism education in the UK, through her leadership, her teaching, her research and her dedicated work with the NCTJ. She has helped shape how we prepare the next generation of journalists for the realities of modern journalism.”

Lisa has contributed to the NCTJ’s accreditation board and safety and resilience panel, helping shape courses that respond to the demands of modern newsrooms. She has led the BA Journalism Studies at the University of Sheffield for a decade, overseeing its rise to become the top-rated Russell Group journalism programme in the National Student Survey. Her work on trauma literacy and resilience has transformed how students are prepared for the emotional and ethical challenges of reporting.

The innovation of the year award went to the University of Portsmouth for its immersive AI-driven mock trial experience. The project gives students realistic, hands-on practice in media law and reporting restrictions, helping bridge the gap between classroom learning and courtroom reporting. Judges praised it as a clear example of how creative teaching can prepare students for the legal and ethical pressures of modern journalism.

Portsmouth faced tough competition. News Associates, the University of Brighton and Ulster University were also commended on the shortlist for initiatives ranging from a free How to Be a Journalist podcast to a student-run sports network and a cross-border journalism programme exploring reporting in divided societies.

In the equality, diversity and inclusion category, the award recognised organisations reshaping representation in the industry. The award went to CNN International London for its paid internships, targeted training and outreach to schools, which judges described as a gold-standard example of sustained, purposeful work that places inclusion at the heart of both newsroom culture and pathways into the profession.

The Aziz Foundation and the University of Lincoln were also shortlisted. The Aziz Foundation supports aspiring journalists from the British Muslim community through funded scholarships, bursaries and newsroom taster days, while the University of Lincoln ran a three-day journalism experience for teenagers, offering a clear entry point into the profession.

Joanne Forbes, chief executive of the NCTJ, said: “These awards highlight the educators and organisations driving excellence in training, innovation and inclusion. They are helping to build a more resilient, diverse and skilled generation of journalists, while protecting the training ground where so many stories begin.”