Student Publication Association National Conference 2026
The Student Publication Association’s 2026 National Conference will be held in Norwich!
Our annual conference is a weekend packed full of journalism talks, workshops, networking and awards, and we can’t wait to bring it to the East of England for the first time.
#SPANC26 will be hosted from 27th - 29th March by Concrete, the University of East Anglia’s student newspaper. More details on tickets will follow in the new year, but for now you can register to be notified when tickets go on sale.
"I’m extremely excited to bring SPANC to the East of England for the first time ever. Concrete submitted an excellent bid which I’m hopeful will give as many students as possible the opportunity to attend. We can’t wait to see you there."
Joe McFadden, SPA Conference and Events Officer
Concrete is the University of East Anglia’s official student newspaper, established in January 1992.
Published monthly in print and online on a rolling basis, Concrete is headed by Editor-in-Chief Emily Pitt-Shaw and Deputy Editors Anna Johnson and Daisy Lester.
Concrete also includes Venue, our arts supplement, headed by Venue Co-Editors Micah Petyt and Robyn Srikandan.
Emily said: “We are beyond excited to host #SPANC26 and bring the conference to Norwich. I’m incredibly proud of all those that continue to be involved in student journalism, and Concrete looks forward to welcoming everyone to the University of East Anglia. I know that the trustees, officers, Hannah and I will do everything we can to make this another incredible year of workshops and awards. We look forward to seeing you all soon!”
Keep up to date with speaker announcements and the launch of our national awards by following us on Instagram or signing up to receive the SPA’s newsletter.
If you have any questions not covered below, email events@spajournalism.com
Tickets
Tickets for #SPANC26 are now on sale - and they're even cheaper than last year, with more accommodated options than ever before!
All-in on campus: Twin room (shared)
Shared twin room on campus (two single beds), allocated by the SPA. Includes two nights’ accommodation, conference and awards.
All-in city centre: Twin room (shared)
Shared twin room at a nearby Premier Inn (about 30 minutes by bus or 13 minutes by taxi), allocated by the SPA. Includes accommodation, conference and awards.
All-in on campus: Single room
Private single room on campus, two minutes from the venue. Includes accommodation, conference and awards.
All-in on campus: Double room (shared)
Double room on campus shared with someone you choose. Must be booked in pairs. Includes accommodation, conference and awards.
All-in on campus: Double room (private)
Private double room on campus for your sole use. Includes accommodation, conference and awards.
Conference & awards, no accommodation
Full SPANC conference plus Saturday night awards ceremony and dinner. Does not include accommodation.
Conference only, no awards or accommodation
Full access to the SPANC conference programme. Does not include the awards ceremony, awards dinner, or accommodation.
What's included in my ticket?
A welcome social on Friday (with dinner!) giving you the chance to meet students from across the UK and Ireland
Access to the full conference programme with more than 20 panel discussions and keynote speakers
Access to one-to-one drop-in sessions with senior industry professionals, as well as workshops to get bespoke feedback
A reserved seat at the SPA Awards, including a three-course sit-down dinner, as we celebrate the best of student journalism
Lunch on Saturday and Sunday
A goody bag full of freebies
An opportunity to attend our AGM in person and shape SPA policy
Run in-person for election to be part of the SPA’s executive committee and put on an even better event in 2027
We know our industry is unequal — and as students, you rarely have spare cash lying around.
We also know the difference attending SPANC and winning our awards can make to your future career. Previous members and award winners have gone on to secure jobs at the BBC, Sky News, The Times, The Guardian, and many more.
We see it as a core part of our mission at the SPA to help diversify the industry and give opportunities to those not traditionally represented, so we’re pleased to bring back our Financial Assistance Scheme (FAS) for 2026, helping those otherwise unable to afford to come to Norwich for #SPANC26. Find out more here.
Jessica Frank-Keyes is Head of Press at Best for Britain, a campaigning think tank which aims to solve the problems Britain faces after Brexit. She joined the organisation in May 2025 as a Senior Press Officer, after a rewarding eight year career in journalism, most recently as Political Reporter at CityAM, based in Westminster. She also worked for LondonWorld, PA Media, and trained at the Eastern Daily Press (EDP) and associated titles. Jess studied History and Politics at the University of East Anglia (UEA) graduating in 2017, but spent most of her time in the student newspaper, Concrete’s, offices.
Celina is a former freelance Fleet St journalist and investigative researcher having contributed to The Sunday Times and The Independent magazine, among other publications. Celina has also worked in TV, including, C4 news & Dispatches. She currently contributes as both a hack and an editor for eastangliabylines.co.uk focussing on regional issues.
Noah Keate is a Live News Reporter for POLITICO Europe. Based in Westminster, Noah covers the latest developments in British politics for the website and ‘London Playbook PM,’ POLITICO’s flagship afternoon U.K. political newsletter. He’s written about topics including the Green Party, assisted dying, reforms to the House of Lords and the evolution of the London mayoralty. Noah previously worked as a reporter for 'London Playbook,' POLITICO's essential morning newsletter. He has a gold standard NCTJ Multimedia Journalism Diploma from News Associates and wrote for every section of 'The Boar' student newspaper while reading politics at the University of Warwick.
Barnie Choudhury is an award-winning journalist. During is 45-plus-year career Choudhury has helped to bring in new laws and change public policy. He’s currently editor-at-large for Eastern Eye, the UK’s number one newspaper for the south Asian communities. Choudhury specialises in data-driven-diversity investigations. He spent 24-years in the BBC where he output edited local, regional and national radio and television news programmes as well as being a network correspondent. Choudhury teaches law, regulations, ethics, writing, radio, TV and digital journalism at the University of East Anglia. He also devised the first ever 12-week module on diversity and inclusivity for an accredited BJTC broadcast journalism course. Choudhury is a self-confessed maverick who enjoys nothing more than holding power to account and shining a light on the changing face of Britain. In 2024, MPs recognised him for his work, naming him journalist of the year in the Political & Public Life Awards.
Julian Sturdy made his name as an investigative reporter at the BBC. His stories have made international headlines, leading to police investigations, arrests and the bringing down of an MP as well as CEOs and conmen. He's been a prosecution witness at three murder trials including the Soham serial killer Ian Huntley. Julian's investigations have won numerous national awards including a Royal Television Society Award; Nominated in the Radio Academy Awards; Short-listed five times in the British Journalism Awards. National healthcare journalist of the year. He worked for the BBC for 36 years appearing across the BBC outlets including Today, the News Channel, Breakfast News, Radio 4 Face the Facts. Julian is a judge on the British Journalism Awards. He lectures in Broadcast and Multimedia Journalism at the University of East Anglia.
Chanté is a writer, award-winning Guardian podcast presenter, and digital content producer. With a following of over 175,000 across her social platforms, Chanté has partnered with some of the world's most renowned brands, including Amazon, Bumble, Unilever, and more, creating engaging and impactful social content. As a versatile journalist, Chanté has written for Vice, Vogue, Refinery 29, and many other well known publications. She frequently writes pieces ranging from celebrity interviews to cultural commentary and first-person reportage. Her talent extends to the literary world, with published essays in two anthologies, Black Joy and Unattached. Chanté is currently working on her highly anticipated first book, A Quick Ting On: The Black British Power Movement, set to release in October 2026. A captivating public speaker, Chanté regularly delivers keynote speeches, hosts panel discussions, and hosts live events, inspiring and engaging audiences worldwide.
Henry Calvert is an online personality and presenter who specializes in all things pop culture. Amassing over 500K loyal followers across his platforms, Henry's celebrity interviews, sketches and authentic northern sense of humor has made him a mainstay in the online pop culture space. His television appearances include reaching the final on Discovery's reality dating show Beauty and the Geek, CBBC's Saturday Download as well presenting social series for Sky and ITV. He is a writer for SFX Magazine, where he conducts set visits and interviews, with notable features covering both Wicked movies.
Zoë Crowther is a political reporter at PoliticsHome and The House magazine, covering UK politics, social issues and technology from Westminster. She has previously worked as a social media journalist and freelance reporter, with bylines in The Sunday Times, The Sun, Daily Mirror and regional titles. Zoë also spent over two years with News Associates in editorial development. During her studies at The University of Bristol, she served as the Students’ Union Correspondent for Epigram in 2018/19 and News Editor for The Courier in 2018, sourcing a range of emerging student-interest stories.
Max Kendix is a political correspondent at The Times. He joined The Times in 2022 as a trainee news reporter and started working in Westminster just before the start of the general election in 2024. He graduated from Durham University in 2022, where he edited the student paper, Palatinate. He has won or been shortlisted for several national awards.
Katelyn Mensah is an entertainment journalist currently working for Radio Times. In her role, she has interviewed everyone from Adjoa Andoh and Gordon Ramsay to Josh O’Connor and Anna Kendrick. Her journalism career began while studying at the University of Lincoln where she became involved with The Lincoln Tab, rising from a writer to editor in six months. After graduating in 2022, Katelyn worked at The Tab HQ with a focus on showbiz and TV news before moving to Radio Times. She began as entertainment and factual writer before moving to her current role in 2025.
Jess Burt is a video producer at The Times, making breaking news videos for their website and app. In her role, she also produces news explainers for YouTube to break down international and national news stories, ranging from protests in Iran to whether Trump will try to change the government in Cuba. Previously, Jess completed an internship at The Guardian and later freelanced on their news video desk. She has a master's in International Journalism from City St George's, University of London and a bachelor's in International Relations and Modern History from the University of St Andrews.
Ryan Payne is a part of the media and communications team at Norwich City. Initially joining in October 2022 as Club Journalist, he now works as Club Journalist and Programme Editor, working across the club's editorial and social media channels. A Sports Journalism graduate from the University of Gloucestershire, he also has prior communications experience within the NHS.
Ian Clarke has been a journalist with the Eastern Daily Press and its sister titles for more than 37 years. He worked as a reporter/chief reporter in various district offices and in the crown court and is now executive editor in the Norwich HQ. Ian (known to most people as Clarkie) is passionate about the role of regionalism journalism on all platforms in fighting for local communities, challenging authorities and putting smiles on the faces of locals. He is a committed Christian, father of three grown up children and now a doting grandad. Ian is a Norwich City season ticket holder, walking footballer and keen (and slow!) park runner.
Daisy is a political reporter at The Times. She is currently training on the graduate scheme, reporting from Westminster whilst completing her NCTJ qualification with the Press Association. Before reporting on politics, she was a researcher on the paper's special editorial projects including the Crime and Justice Commission and the Guide to the House of Commons 2024. She studied politics at King's College London and was News Editor of her student newspaper, Roar News, where she won an SPA award for Best Investigation for a piece she wrote about her university's Conservative Association.
Emily Fairchild is Content and Editorial Manager at UEA, where she leads strategic content planning across recruitment, brand, and digital experience. She specialises in turning audience insight into impactful messaging, helping teams communicate with personality and purpose. With a background spanning journalism, higher‑education publishing and marketing, and content strategy, Emily is passionate about elevating student voices and designing content that guides people through complex decisions with confidence. She works across cross‑functional teams to shape user journeys, strengthen storytelling, and champion an audience‑first approach. Emily also speaks regularly about content strategy, creativity, and the evolving role of editorial leadership.
Megan Harwood-Baynes is a senior money reporter with The Times and Sunday Times. She previously worked for Sky News where she was one of the UK's first cost-of-living reporters. She covered social affairs and health and had a stint with the broadcaster’s data and forensics team. During her time at Sky News, she covered many major and breaking news moments, including being one of just five journalists inside the courtroom at the trial of Lucy Letby, live reporting the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, and writing the article that announced a second Trump presidency. Before this, she worked at the PA Media news agency and the Isle of Wight County Press. She graduated from UEA in 2017 and was editor-in-chief of Concrete in her final year - when she and the team won four SPA awards.
Jane Bradley is the UK investigative correspondent for The New York Times. She is a Pulitzer and three-time Orwell Prize finalist and is based in London, where she focuses on abuses of power, national security and crime, money and influence, and social injustices.
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Questions?
Where will #SPANC26 be held?
The conference and awards ceremony will take place on the University of East Anglia (UEA) campus, located at Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk, NR4 7TJ. All conference sessions, workshops and the awards ceremony will be hosted on campus.
How do I get to Norwich?
Norwich Railway Station has direct train services to and from London Liverpool Street, Cambridge, Peterborough, Manchester, Liverpool, Sheffield and Nottingham. We recommend checking journeys in advance due to possible weekend rail disruption.
National Express and FlixBus operate coach services to Norwich bus station and, in some cases, directly to the UEA campus.
If driving, follow the A11 from London and the South East, or the A14 and A11 from the East Midlands and North. Free parking is available at the Broadview Hotel. City-centre parking is available at St Andrews Multi-Storey Car Park from around £2 per hour. Parking is not included with tickets.
Flights operate to Stansted Airport with Ryanair and easyJet from Belfast, Dublin, Edinburgh and Newquay, with onward travel to Norwich by train or coach.
If I’m staying elsewhere, how do I get to the UEA campus?
The UEA campus is easy to reach from Norwich city centre.
Regular buses run between the city centre and the campus, primarily First Bus services 25, 26 and 26a. Journey time is typically 15–25 minutes.
Taxis are widely available and take around 10–15 minutes from the city centre.
If driving, follow signage for the University of East Anglia via the A11. Parking availability varies.
Walking from the city centre takes around 45–60 minutes, while cycling is a quicker option using dedicated routes.
Is there parking on site?
Limited on-site parking is available at the University of East Anglia.
Free parking is available for attendees staying at the Broadview Hotel on the UEA campus. For attendees not staying on campus, parking availability is limited and spaces cannot be guaranteed. Parking is not included with conference tickets unless explicitly stated.
Delegates staying in the city centre can use St Andrews Multi-Storey Car Park, with prices starting from around £2 per hour.
If you have accessibility-related parking needs, please contact us in advance.
When should I arrive and leave?
Registration opens from 3pm on Friday 27 March. Please arrive in time to check in before the Friday night welcome social. If you are arriving on Saturday, head to the welcome desk in the morning.
On Sunday, the final session will finish by 4pm.
What food do I get?
Your ticket gets you dinner on Friday night, breakfast (accommodated tickets only) and lunch on Saturday and Sunday, plus your three-course meal at the awards on Saturday night. Outlets on campus will also be open to purchase coffee and snacks.
Is the site accessible?
All venues and spaces on the UEA campus are fully accessible. We will also have a quiet room available. If you have any access requirements or concerns, please get in touch with the SPA team in advance.
Who can attend SPANC?
SPANC is open to students involved in student journalism from SPA member publications across the UK and Ireland. This includes editors, writers, photographers, broadcasters, designers and anyone else involved in producing student media.
You do not need to be studying journalism to attend, but you must be a current student or recent graduate involved in a student publication. You must be over 18 to attend.
Do I need to be an SPA member to attend?
Yes. Attendance at SPANC is limited to members of the Student Publication Association.
If you are not part of a publication member, you can sign up for a free individual membership on our website.
Can I get financial help to come to SPANC?
The SPA’s Financial Assistance Scheme supports individuals who are currently underrepresented in journalism, including (but not limited to) those from lower socio-economic or ethnic minority backgrounds, LGBTQI+ attendees and disabled students.
Funding may cover travel within the UK or Ireland, accommodation for up to two nights, conference and awards tickets, and meals during the weekend. Some applicants may receive partial funding.
Applications are made via an online form.
Will my university or SU help cover costs?
Maybe, and we strongly recommend it because going to SPANC is an investment in the future of your paper. We’ve previously lobbied for this on behalf of our members and we’re more than happy to write to your university or SU to tell them why they should help fund your tickets. Email representation@spajournalism.com for more information.
Can I attend just the awards ceremony?
No. Tickets to the SPA National Awards are only available as part of a SPANC conference ticket.
This ensures that the awards remain a celebration of the wider conference and student journalism community.
Can I enter the awards if I’m not attending SPANC?
Yes. You do not need to attend SPANC to enter the SPA National Awards.
However, winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on Saturday night of #SPANC26.
Will the awards be live-streamed?
Yes! We'll be gutted you can't make it but we will share a livestream link before the night.
What should I wear?
There is no formal dress code for the conference sessions — wear whatever you’re comfortable in.
The awards ceremony is a formal evening event. Attendees are encouraged to dress smartly, but there is no strict dress code and you should wear what makes you feel comfortable.
Do you offer refunds?
Unfortunately, tickets for SPANC are non-refundable. The SPA commits ticket income to venues, accommodation, catering and production costs well in advance.
If you are no longer able to attend, tickets may be transferable to another attendee, subject to ticket terms and accommodation constraints. Please contact jem@spajournalism.com and geri@spajournalism.com.
What if I have more questions?
Email chair@spajournalism.com or events@spajournalism.com.
National Awards
The SPA’s National Awards are a celebration of all the excellent work that takes place at student publications throughout the year! Our awards cover a wide variety of articles and publications and previous winners have gone onto score excellent jobs across the industry and beyond.
Our 2026 awards are currently open for entries, and the winners will be announced at #SPANC26.
Publication awards
The following awards can only be entered once per publication, usually by the Editor-in-Chief or Head of Section.
Individual awards
These awards can be entered by anyone who has contributed to an SPA member publication.
You can nominate yourself twice for: Best News Story, Best Feature, Best Interview, Best Investigation, Best Comment Piece, Best Lifestyle Piece, Best Arts and Culture Piece, Best Creative Piece, Best Science or Tech Piece.
You can nominate yourself once for: Best Reporter, Best Student Photographer, Rising Star, Best Sports Reporter, Best Culture Writer
There is no limit on how many times you can nominate other people.
Past winners
Excited for what's ahead? Take a look at who has won in our last 12 years.
The SPA would love your help to keep supporting the next generation of student journalists.
We are committed to increasing diversity in in the media industry, and every year support students from backgrounds not traditionally represented to attend our conference. But we can only run our events with your kind support, to keep prices either free or as low as possible.
Give a one-off donation here or consider becoming a sponsor. Contact our sponsorship officer here to find out more about the packages available - from small to large, it all helps!