Stirling students top in Scotland for journalism awards nominations

University of Stirling students have secured 21 national journalism award nominations – more than any other Scottish university.

The total, across 11 categories, included two nominations for Brig Newspaper – while students Ryan Carroll and Rozlyn Little also each secured double nominations, in the Scottish Student Journalism Awards.

In a motion submitted to the Scottish Parliament, the shortlisting success was hailed by Stirling MSP Bruce Crawford, who congratulated the students and wished “the award nominees the best of luck in their future endeavours”.

Stirling Honorary Professor John McLellan, director of the Scottish Newspaper Society, said: “The Scottish Newspaper Society is delighted to be able to sponsor this event, which is not only an undoubted highlight in the student journalism calendar but a great way to identify the news industry’s stars of the future.

“And stars there are aplenty, some of whom I know well at Stirling, but other students need not worry as I play no part in the judging process.

Stirling Honorary Professor John McLellan.

“I would like to thank all the judges for giving up their valuable time, the other sponsors for their help and encouragement, to congratulate all the finalists for clinching a great addition to their CVs, but also to the Glasgow Clyde College students who have put so much effort into organising what is always an excellent evening.” 

A total of 77 entries were shortlisted by a judging panel made up of industry professionals from BBC Scotland, STV, the Daily Record, the Scottish Sun, Glasgow Live, DC Thomson Media and the Frame Group.

Deputy Head of News at BBC Scotland, Pete MacRae, said: “We’re very pleased to be associated with this year’s Mobile Journalism, Podcasting and Broadcasting award categories. The shortlisted candidates display an excellent range of topical subjects and great story-telling potential. The future of Scotland’s journalism is in good hands.”

The winners will be announced at a prestigious ceremony at Glasgow’s St Andrew’s in the Square on 30 May. All shortlisted students are invited to the event – which will be hosted by BBC political correspondent Glenn Campbell – and speakers on the night are STV news anchor John Mackay and veteran music journalist John Dingwall.

To further enhance the Faculty of Arts and Humanities’ media opportunities for students, new Masters courses in: International Journalism; Television Content Development and Production; and Digital Media and Society will be launched in the autumn.

Stirling’s nominations are outlined in full below: 

• STUDENT WEBSITE OF THE YEAR - Brignews.com; The Avocado
• STUDENT JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR – Chris Bond; Ryan Carroll
• THE CALUM MACDONALD MEMORIAL AWARD – Ryan Carroll
• STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE YEAR – Brig Newspaper
• BROADCAST JOURNALISM OF THE YEAR - Katie Williams; Douglas Matheson; Hannah Chandler
• COLUMN OF THE YEAR - Ryan Peteranna
• SPORTS STORY OF THE YEAR - Peter Stewart; Rowan Shaw Nicholl
• FEATURE OF THE YEAR - Caroline McCaw; Susan Myles; Sirri Rimppi
• PODCAST OF THE YEAR - Kieran Daly
• SCOOP OF THE YEAR - Rozlyn Little; Amy Beveridge; Warren Hardie
• NEWS STORY OF THE YEAR - Craig Munro; Rozlyn Little