University of Lincoln brings ‘Into Journalism’ project to life with dynamic three-day outreach programme

The University of Lincoln has delivered a three-day programme as part of the NCTJ’s ‘into journalism’ outreach project, giving young people from disadvantaged backgrounds hands-on journalism experience.

As one of six education providers awarded a grant from the NCTJ for the initiative, the University of Lincoln’s programme focused on developing multimedia journalism skills among participants aged 15-19, with students working in teams to create content across multiple platforms.

Participants had the opportunity to test their interviewing, camera and social media skills by conducting interviews with members of the university rowing club, lecturers from the university and representatives from the Canal and River Trust, providing them with real-world journalism experience.

Tim Greenfield, project leader and senior lecturer in journalism at University of Lincoln praised the students’ progress and enthusiasm over the three days and said: “We are delighted to be one of the few centres in the UK to have been chosen to run this project.

“We have had three great days with the students. They were quiet to start with but by the end of the course they were really outgoing and had pushed themselves out of their comfort zones.

“We tried to give them an all-round experience, so they worked in teams producing a video package, social media, digital story and photos, and podcast.

“The end result is fantastic, a real showcase of their talents and testament to the dedicated staff who worked with them.

“They should be really proud of themselves and hopefully this will have inspired a few to consider journalism as a possible career path.”

The Into Journalism outreach initiative, first launched by the NCTJ in 2023, aims to inspire those who may not have considered journalism as a career, offering hands-on experience and insight into the industry. Each project ends with students producing a piece of journalism, with a prize awarded for the best entry across all participating centres.

Research from the NCTJ’s most recent Journalists at Work report highlights the need to address social mobility in the industry. The findings show that 67 per cent of journalists have a parent in one of the top three occupational groups, compared to just 45 per cent of all UK workers, while only 9 per cent have a parent in the lowest two occupational groups.

Joanne Forbes, chief executive of the NCTJ, said: “What the University of Lincoln has achieved with these students exemplifies exactly what our outreach programme aims to do – break down barriers and showcase that journalism is an accessible and rewarding career path.

“Empowering young people with the confidence and skills to tell stories that matter is vital for the future of trusted journalism. These projects not only build practical experience — they light a spark. We’re proud to support centres like Lincoln who are helping young people realise that journalism is a rewarding, impactful career open to them.

“I am looking forward to seeing their entry for the best piece of journalism award.”

The Into Journalism project reflects the NCTJ’s wider commitment to inclusivity to help grow a diverse, passionate new generation of trusted storytellers for the long-term sustainability of journalism.