Publication awards

The Billy Dowling-Reid Award for Outstanding Commitment rewards students who have gone above and beyond for their publication over the previous year.

Billy, an SPA lifetime member, founded Mediargh, the first journalism job website to ban unpaid internships from advertising. We named this award in his memory after his death, aged 31, in 2018.

Submission guidelines: Include a supporting statement of up to 500 words. Nominations can be made either by the individual concerned, or someone on their behalf. Multiple entries for the same nominated individual will be considered together.

Things to Consider:

(1) Who is the greatest asset to your team?

(2) Did someone step up in a time of need or to cover the work of other people?

(3) Did someone come up with a new and innovative idea which has become crucial to the running of your publication?

(4) Consider the person on your team who is not only dedicated, but puts the publication’s interests first - chasing stories or finding unique content.

(5) Consider a member of your team who is able to boost morale and encourage people to try new things; or someone who perhaps comes up with creative new ideas to attract new audiences.

This award rewards consistently exceptional reporting from an individual at a student publication. It will take into account the range of stories, impact on their student audience and the quality of journalism produced.

Submission guidelines: Include up to three stories from within the awards timeframe, plus a supporting statement of up to 300 words. Maximum of one entry per individual journalist. Only one of your stories can be entered into another individual article category.

Things to Consider:

(1) Show a wide and varied portfolio and the ability to confidently cover a range of topics, including sensitive content and taboo subjects.

(2) Well-rounded writers who aren’t afraid to step out of their comfort zone and learn new skills tend to be rewarded.

(3) We need to see how this person connects with their community to make an impact locally and beyond.

(4) If applicable, show how the entrant has developed over the year and what challenges they overcame to become the best journalist on their team.

This award rewards consistently exceptional culture writing from an individual at a student publication. It will take into account the range of stories, impact on their student audience and the quality of journalism produced.

Submission guidelines: Include up to three stories from within the awards timeframe, plus a supporting statement of up to 300 words. Maximum of one entry per individual journalist. Only one of your stories can be entered into another individual article category.

Things to Consider:

(1) Show a wide and varied portfolio and the ability to confidently cover a range of topics and styles, for example reviewing, interviewing and feature writing.

(2) Well-rounded writers who aren’t afraid to step out of their comfort zone and learn new skills tend to be rewarded.

(3) Show us how your culture reporting is different to other outlets. Have you connected with your local community? Tried out a new innovative technique to increase the reach of your articles? Or asked questions that no one else has?

(4) If applicable, show how the entrant has developed over the year and what challenges they overcame to become the best culture writer on their team.

This award recognises the best new contributor to a SPA member publication. The award is open to students who have joined an SPA member publication between 2 March 2023 and 19 February 2024, and had no previous experience with student publications. It will take into account the range and quality of work the nominee has produced and their commitment to their student publication.

Submission guidelines: Include three stories from within the awards timeframe, plus a supporting statement of up to 300 words. Maximum of one entry per individual journalist. Only one of your stories can be entered into another individual article category. You must not have previously won an SPA national award.

Things to Consider:

(1) Demonstrate your growth as someone with little or limited experience of the media to being valued at your student publication.

(2) Talk about your commitment to enhancing your journalism knowledge and skills, and hopes or aspirations for the future.

(3) Consider what hurdles or obstacles you have overcome, and explain the professional growth you have undergone.

This award recognises quality news reporting from student publications. Entries will be rewarded for succinct and accurate reporting. These could be exclusive stories, breaking news, or news which promotes understanding.

Submission guidelines: Include one story of a maximum of 800 words and a supporting statement of up to 300 words. Stories over 800 words will not be accepted. Maximum of two entries per individual journalist. Articles entered into this category cannot be entered into the Best Investigation or Best Feature categories, if your reporting is longer-form it may be better placed in one of those categories.

Things to Consider:

(1) Your story needs to be well-structured to fare well in this category, with a clear top line.

(2) We are looking for articles which are enhanced by the use of sources and interviews, with highly relevant quotes.

(3) Articles with exclusive lines, that helped explain a complicated issue on campus or held your university to account, are likely to do well in this category.

(4) Let us know if your story was picked up elsewhere.

(5) The relevancy of the article to the student body or your campus and the conversation it produced or impact it had as a result of being published should be highlighted.

This award recognises investigations that brought new information to light and had an impact on campus (and beyond). It will take into how you uncovered your scoop, so let us know about the process.

Submission guidelines: Include one piece and a supporting statement of up to 300 words. Maximum of two entries per individual journalist. If your article doesn’t reveal new information it may be better suited to the Best Feature category.

Things to Consider:

(1) Tell us how you found your scoop: did you do a freedom of information request? Persuade people to speak on the record?

(2) Let us know of any difficulties in getting your piece to publication. Was it a lengthy process? Did you face pushback from your University or have to check for media law issues?

(3) Articles which promoted a sense of change on your campus, or gave a voice to someone who otherwise would not have a platform, tend to do well in this category.

(4) The relevancy of the article to the student body or your campus and the conversation it produced or impact it had as a result of being published should be highlighted.

This award is for longer pieces going in-depth on a specific area or topic area. Judges will look at flow, structure, impact, passion and storytelling. If your article is an interview with an individual or group it may be better placed in the Best Interview category.

Submission guidelines: Include one piece and a supporting statement of up to 300 words. Maximum of two entries per individual journalist.

Things to Consider:

(1) This award is open to all magazines, newspapers and online publications, as long as the format and flow of the piece resembles that of feature writing.

(2) Focus on the impact of the piece on its audience and consider the main points it covers and their relevance to the overall story.

(3) Consider why this topic is relevant right now - what factors make it important to your audience and what takeaways should the audience have?

(4) Explain why your coverage of this subject is unique and relevant to your readers.

(5) Think about the structure of your piece, articles which have a focus on storytelling and form, with a drop intro that attracts attention and interest, are likely to do well in this category.

This award recognises the best interviews by student publications, with an individual or group. The interview could be with politicians, musicians, or people in the local community. It focuses on style, presentation and impact of the interview.

Submission guidelines: Include one piece and a supporting statement of up to 300 words. Maximum of two entries per individual journalist.

Things to Consider:

(1) As you are allowed two entries in this category, you may make two separate submissions, rather than combining the articles into one submission.

(2) You don’t have to interview someone famous in order to qualify for this award! The impact on your audience is more important.

(3) Think of the influential people you’ve interviewed, who have made an impact which is emotional, inspirational or awe-inspiring.

(4) Focus on the questions you asked and how your coverage differed from other outlets, local or international, which interviewed the same individual or group.

(5) Articles written in a Q&A format don’t do well in this category as they don’t show off your writing abilities.

This award recognises the best science and technology piece of writing. This can include an article on scientific research at institutions, as well as wider issues and topics in the science and technology sector including gaming. It will take into account the story’s relevance to the audience, structure and impact.

Submission guidelines: Include one piece and a supporting statement of up to 300 words. Maximum of two entries per individual journalist.

Things to Consider:

(1) As you are allowed two entries in this category, you may make two separate submissions, rather than combining the articles into one submission.

(2) Discuss the relevance of the story to your publication and beyond, showing you have done plenty of background research to support the points you make in the article.

(3) Think about the different sub-genres within science and technology - this is a very broad category and encompasses a range of topics.

(4) Consider the advice for Best Science Publication or Section.

This award is designed to recognise the best sports reporter in student journalism. This might be someone always out in the rain pitchside, first on the team bus getting the scoop or an exclusive interview, or who is always first with the latest scores home and away.

Submission guidelines: Include up to three stories from within the awards timeframe, plus a supporting statement of up to 300 words. Maximum of one entry per individual journalist.

Things to Consider:

(1) How have you shown that you have consistently excelled at bringing informative, entertaining and innovative sports coverage to your university?

(2) Demonstrate an awareness of a chosen sport or sports beyond just fixture lists and match reports.

(3) Explain how your reporting impacted readers or players.

(4) Consider the advice for Best Sports Section.

This award recognises the best opinion writing from a student publication. It will take into account structure, relevance to the student community and impact of the piece.

Submission guidelines: Include one piece and a supporting statement of up to 300 words. Maximum of two entries per individual journalist.

Things to Consider:

(1) As you are allowed two entries in this category, you may make two separate submissions, rather than combining the articles into one submission.

(2) There are different schools of thought to what makes a good Comment piece, so don’t feel that your approach is necessarily the wrong one. However, you should be writing about a topic you can speak with authority on - not the politics of a faraway country.

(3) Don’t be afraid to be provocative or stand your ground with a well-researched and passionate entry.

(4) Consider the impact your article had on its target audience and the conversations it provoked on your campus or beyond.

This award recognises the best lifestyle piece. This could include stories on fashion, beauty, travel, or food and drink. It will take into account the story’s structure and relevance to the audience.

Submission guidelines: Include one story and a supporting statement of up to 300 words. Maximum of two entries per individual journalist.

Things to Consider:

(1) Consider the wider reach of your article and its impact beyond your campus as well as within.

(2) Show how the article connects with the reader, and explain what emotions does it evoke within them?

(3) Think about the inspiration for the piece and how it provides more insight compared to articles which are already out there.

(4) Demonstrate what information the article provides the reader and what do they learn?

(5) As you are allowed two entries in this category, you may make two separate submissions, rather than combining the articles into one submission.

This award is for articles about music, film, theatre, arts and culture. Example submissions could include a gallery, album or film review, and so on. It will take into account the piece’s style, the quality of analysis and the relevance to the student community.

Submission guidelines: Include one piece and a supporting statement of up to 300 words. Maximum of two entries per individual journalist.

Things to Consider:

(1) Consider the wider reach of your article and its impact beyond your campus as well as within.

(2) Show how the article connects with the reader, and what emotions does it evoke within them?

(3) Think about the inspiration for the piece and how it provides more insight compared to articles which are already out there.

(4) As you are allowed two entries in this category, you may make two separate submissions, rather than combining the articles into one submission.

This award focuses on pieces of which the primary focus is to entertain readers. This could be a piece of satire, a sketch, or other piece of creative writing. It will take into account the quality of the entertainment provided as well as the style and structure of the piece.

Submission guidelines: Include one piece and a supporting statement of up to 300 words. Pieces over 1250 words will not be considered. Maximum of two entries per individual journalist.

Things to Consider:

(1) Show off your creative flair and show how this piece sparked humour, debate or wider thinking about the subject.

(2) Explain your skills and how these came across in the piece.

(3) Discuss the wider relevance of the subject(s) you covered and why you chose them.

(4) As you are allowed two entries in this category, you may make two separate submissions, rather than combining the articles into one submission.

This award recognises the best student photographers, who provide their publications with memorable, high quality images showing student life and events.

Submission guidelines: Include three photographs published in an SPA member publication within the awards period, and a supporting statement of up to 300 words.

Things to Consider:

(1) It will usually be to your advantage to show a wide range of skills, so your photographs should reflect these.

(2) Explain how the presence of your photographs in the publication have enhanced and helped tell stories.

(3) Discuss any details about how you shot the photographs, the work that went into getting them, and the feedback you had on them.