Register now for the AJE Winter Conference 2025 – ‘Making a change’

We are excited to announce the details for our AJE Winter Conference 2025.

Event: Making a change: The challenges and opportunities in transitioning from industry to academia – and back again.

Date: Friday, January 17, 2025, 2pm to 4.30pm (GMT).

Location: Online.

Registration: FREE. You can register here to receive a Zoom link. 

Overview: The AJE’s January 2025 Winter Conference (online) will focus on the challenges and opportunities for journalists and journalism practitioners making the transition into academia from industry, as well as the benefits – and potential obstacles – for journalism lecturers and academics deciding to head back into the newsroom or into the field.

In a time of uncertainty for both the media industry and higher education, facing change and turbulence can be daunting – so this conference is an opportunity to share experiences, advice, tips, support and best-practice for making crucial transitions.

It is also a chance to explore the relationship between academia and industry more widely, including how gaps can be bridged and links can be forged between these two worlds.

Event details: The event will start with a panel discussion and we are delighted to present our speakers:

• Karen Fowler-Watt, Bournemouth University. Karen has a long career at BBC, including as an international correspondent and producer. She has published research about the lived experiences of journalists transitioning to the classroom.

• Suzanne Nelson is a former regional news journalist and senior lecturer in journalism at the University of Derby. She is now a senior digital editor at Slimming World.

• Arran Bee is Executive Producer at BBC Radio Stoke. Currently in his second stint with the BBC, he spent three years as Senior Lecturer in Journalism at the University of Derby between 2018 and 2021.

• Vivienne Francis is CEO of One World Media and Reader in Social Justice Journalism at LCC, with a particular focus on Knowledge Exchange activities.

Paper presentations: 3pm-4.15pm (GMT)

The panel will be followed by Q&A and presentations from colleagues about their own experiences and research on this topic.

Margaret Hughes, University of the West of Scotland – “From journalist to journalism educator: a journey of invention & re-invention”

Emmanuel Durosinmi, Federal University, Oye-Ekiti – “Returning to the Field: Nigerian Academics’ Perspectives on Going Back to Journalism Practice”

Johanna Payton, City, University of London – “Doctor who? How studying for a PhD has demystified academia – and enhanced my pedagogical practice”

Mercedes de Luis Andrés, University of Klagenfurt – “Journalism Education: Reading between the lines”

Carl Hartley, University of Leeds – “Does working across industry and academia come at a cost?”

For the full details of each presentation, take a look at the abstracts here.

Coffee break: 4.15pm-4.30pm (GMT)

We will finish with a virtual coffee break for those who wish to stay a little longer and chat to other colleagues. Bring tea and some biscuits!