HIGHER EDUCATION MEDIA AWARDS 2024
HIGHER EDUCATION MEDIA AWARDS OVERVIEW
The awards recognise excellent journalism and communication on key issues in higher education including the economic and social benefits from Australia's universities to the nation, government, industry, the not-for-profit sector, and the community.
HIGHER EDUCATION MEDIA AWARDS OBJECTIVES
To recognise quality journalism and commentary that informs deeper public understanding of the contribution that universities make to our society and economy.
HIGHER EDUCATION MEDIA AWARDS JUDGING
The judging panel will of comprise senior members of the National Press Club of Australia board, along with judges who have higher education policy expertise.
HIGHER EDUCATION MEDIA AWARDS ELIGIBILITY AND GUIDELINES
ELIGIBILITY
The awards are open to employed and freelance media professionals, or writing and production teams, who write or broadcast on higher education policy, university teaching and research, or on the work of individual academics and institutions.
The awards recognise quality media coverage of the Australian university sector, and work within universities, but do not cover university promotional material.
In each category, journalists are invited to submit entries in the following formats:
- PDFs or word files of print stories
- Video files (MP4/AVI) or links to broadcast stories
- Links or downloads of online stories
- Individuals or teams may submit applications into one or both categories, however, cannot submit the same content into both. Entrants should submit only what they consider to be their best work and enter their submission/s in the most appropriate category.
- Each entry should comprise a single story with an option of presenting up to two additional follow-up stories expanding the theme of the original.
Each entry must have a cover letter which includes:- the entrant's/team members' contact details
- the award category being entered
- the name of the story
- Each entry should be accompanied by an explanation of why the entry is an example of excellence, including accuracy, context, technique, exclusivity, impact, influence of decision on opinion makers, or other outcomes.
- Work submitted should have been broadcast/printed in the period between 1 June 2023, and 30 June 2024.
- Where there is more than one person nominated for one entry, if that is a winning entry, the prize money will be divided among the entrants.
- If there is a tied result in any category, the prize money will be divided among the winners for that category.
Awards submissions must be received by Thursday, August 15th, 2024.
Submissions should be submitted via the 2024 Universities Australia Higher Education Media Awards Website Submission Form at www.npc.org.au.
HIGHER EDUCATION MEDIA AWARDS PRESENTATION
The awards will be presented at a National Press Club of Australia Address on Wednesday 11 September 2024.
UNIVERSITIES AUSTRALIA HIGHER EDUCATION JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR
Awarded to the person or team who has submitted the most outstanding news reporting or analysis in higher education journalism this year, as demonstrated through the highest standards of accuracy, insight, fairness and balance, impact, integrity, and excellent writing.
CRITERIA:
Awarded to the entry that best explains the impact of higher education policies through high-quality reporting or commentary.
- Entries can be print, broadcast, digital or other online.
- The entry should be a significant contribution to broadening public awareness of the work of universities, their staff and students and the role that universities play in Australia’s prosperity.
Prize: $12,500
THE UNIVERSITIES AUSTRALIA AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN UNIVERSITY RESEARCH REPORTING
Open to generalists as well as sector journalists, the winning entry should be a significant contribution to explain the work of university researchers – including the significance, application or potential of a particular piece of university research.
CRITERIA:
Awarded to the story or series that clearly and accurately communicates the technical detail of a piece of university research, discovery, or breakthrough — its significance, application or potential — in a way that a lay audience can understand.
- Entries can be print, broadcast, digital or other online.
- Places the university research or breakthrough in a broader context, including the value of the research to the Australian economy and/or community.
Prize: $2,500
