AJE UK annual conference 2024

At a time when change is a constant, not least in the world of technology with the growth of AI, our summer conference is a forum for educators, scholars and practitioners to share ideas and experiences about how students and early-career journalists can respond to, cope with, embrace and prompt transformations and transitions – and how journalism education can be designed, delivered and assessed to support these challenges and opportunities.

We have an exciting programme of speakers for our 2024 annual summer conference hosted by the Journalism team at LJMU.

See you all in Liverpool!

The AJEUK committee

Thursday, 27 June

09-09.30 Registration

09.30-09.45 Welcome by AJE Chair

09.45-11.15 Session 1 Transitioning from classroom to newsroom. Chair: Sean Dodson

Transition from student to journalist: Intelligences and mental wealth. Greg Nixon, Liverpool John Moores University

“They definitely throw you in the deep end” - a UK graduate perspective on journalism practice. Lada Price and Lisa Bradley, University of Sheffield

Navigating Change: Empowering the Next Generation of Investigative Journalists Through Education. Barbara Longo-Flint and John Price, University of Sunderland

Where’s the Workie? - Rethinking work experience in UK journalism. Hilary Scott, University of Northampton

11.15-11.30 – Coffee/tea break

11.30- 13.00pm Session 2 Transformations in journalism education. Chair: Hilary Scott

Empowering students as ‘change agents’ in journalism through the Transforming Journalism conference experience. Caroline Jones, University of Derby

“The Lego Lady”: Becoming a creative journalism educator. Johanna Payton, City University, London

Journalism education in the UK: Surveying pedagogical perspectives in rapidly changing times. Kester Demmar and Timothy Neff, University of Leicester

Journalism education: towards a changed pedagogical approach. Margaret Hughes, University of the West of Scotland

13.00-13.45 Lunch

13.45-15.00 Session 3 Envisaging transformation. Chair: Caroline Jones

Dealing with Bad News. A study aimed to provide guidance for journalism students. Rachel Ammonds and Christine Challand, University of Worcester

Toolkit for trainee journalists - reporting of domestic abuse. Michelle Rawlins, University of Sheffield

Handing over control: Enhancing journalism employability through student-led assessments. Yvonne Illsley, University of Sheffield

15.00-15.15 Coffee/tea break

15.15 – 16.45 Session 4 Media transformations Chair: Lucia Vodanovic

The Shaping of News: a framework for understanding and analysing the consequences of changes and transformations in journalism. Julie Firmstone, University of Leeds

Community as object or action? Reconceptualising the purpose and practices of local media and journalism. David Baines, Newcastle University and Rachel Matthews, Coventry University

Media Resilience in a Norwegian News Desert: Navigating the Chasm between Mainstream Narratives and Local Realities. Maria Theresa Konow-Lund, Oslo Met University, Norway

“ADAPT OR DIE? The Digital Transformation of Football Coverage”. David Randles, Liverpool John Moores University

17.00 – 18.00 Keynote

Class dismissed: Why journalism’s lack of social diversity is a problem -- and how to solve it. Robyn Vinter, north of England correspondent at the Guardian.

18.00 Book launches and drinks kindly provided by the Journalism team at LJMU

Friday, 28 June

9.30-10.00- AJE UK AGM meeting

10.00-11.30am Session 1. Chair: Deborah Wilson David

Panel discussion: Future-proofing: exploring opportunity in a changing world of work. Editors/publishers Peter Houston and Joanne Cummings from the Grub Street Journal; journalists John Gibbon and Josh Sexton of The Anfield Wrap, and journalism educators.

11.30-11.45 Coffee/tea break

11.45-13.00 Session 2 Transformation in journalism education. Chair: John Price

Using AI to facilitate experiential learning in journalism: A critical reflection on a simulated disaster reporting scenario. Daisy Naylor and Julia Breen, University of Sunderland

Could virtual reality transform the education of trainee journalists? A study on the impact of immersive newsgathering experiences on newsroom readiness and resilience. Lindsay Pantry, University of Sheffield

Investigating innovative journalism teaching approaches in Higher Education: a global North-South comparison. Trust Matsilele and Rachel-Ann Charles, Birmingham City University

13.00 – 13.45 – Lunch

13.45 – 15.00 Session 3 Transitions into journalism education. Chair: Lada Price

Navigating Transitions: Insights from Former Journalists Turned Educators. Daniel Carey, University of Limerick Ireland

Straddling the newsroom and the classroom: the challenge of keeping professional practice current. Tim Abraham, Liverpool John Moores University

Emerging Challenges in Post-Pandemic British Higher Education for Students of Pakistani Origin. James Mahon, University of the West of Scotland

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Redmonds Building, Liverpool John Moores University, Brownlow Hill, Liverpool, United Kingdom