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: 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.

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.

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.

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 March 2, 2024 and February 19, 2025 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.

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 (see pages 24-25).

This award recognises investigations that brought new information to light and had an impact on campus (and beyond). It will take into account 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.

This award is for longer pieces going in-depth on a specific area or topic. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

This award recognises the best lifestyle piece. This could include stories on fashion, beauty, travel, food and drink, etc. 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.

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.

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 1,250 words will not be considered. Maximum of two entries per individual journalist.

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.