Two students from the University of Worcester have scooped prizes in the Midlands Media Students’ Awards 2019.
Adrienne Titley, who graduated with a degree in Journalism in November, won the Social Issues and Campaigning award, while current second year Journalism student, Kirsty Hatton, won the Photography Award.
Ellen Flannery, another current second year student, was Highly Commended in the photography category too.
The Awards, organised by Birmingham Press Club, aim to recognise the talents of the Midlands’ next generation of journalism and photography talent and attracted several hundred entries from universities and colleges from the East and West Midlands.
Adrienne filmed, edited and produced a documentary on the severity of male suicide in the UK and what life is like for those affected by their loss. Adrienne’s project was conducted during the final year of her Journalism degree and since then she has campaigned vigorously to raise awareness of male suicide, appearing on TV and writing blogs for Huffington Post to highlight the alarming increase in suicide rates over the last four years.
The judges said it was a powerful, hard-hitting and eye-opening video, lifted by its tone, use of graphics and crafted with real creativity.
“My entry was based on suicide and the effect it has on loved ones who are left behind. I felt a great sense of pride winning an award for my entry because suicide is a topic I hold very close to my heart after losing my dad to it and since 2015 I’ve been relentlessly trying to raise awareness for male suicide. Winning this award made me feel like my work was actually being recognised and that I am succeeding in raising awareness for this topic.”
Student Kirsty, 21, was recognised for street photography shots that she submitted on the theme of consumerism at Christmas and others depicting homelessness at Christmas.
The judges said she had a good creative eye with a theme in mind, which was reflected in a set of well-composed images. She said: “I’m a truly humbled to have won this award. Photography is something I am keen on pursuing in the future, but have lost confidence in my ability in recent years. To have won the award is an honour and something I will cherish.”
The judges were also impressed by fellow student Ellen’s photographs, which depicted the diverse and unique characters of “normal” people in their everyday working environment.
Eleven students in total from the University of Worcester were shortlisted in the Awards, which recognise achievement in different aspects of the industry, including digital journalism, news, entertainment, sport, fashion & lifestyle, travel, broadcasting and photography.
The University’s Course Leader for Journalism, Rachel Ammonds, said: "We were absolutely delighted to have eleven students shortlisted, and to come away with two overall category winners and a highly commended is the icing on the cake. It is testament to the hard work and talent of our Journalism students of whom we are very proud. The course aims to equip them with a wide range of skills, which is needed for a career in journalism in a digital age, and for the award winners and those shortlisted to have their work recognised in such a way is a fantastic achievement."
Birmingham Press Club chairman Llewela Bailey said: “Many well-known names in the media world have kick-started their careers after having successfully negotiated their courses at Midland universities and colleges. And I have no doubt that those who entered our awards will be following in their footsteps. The standard of submitted work was truly outstanding – a real credit to the lecturers who are helping to craft their careers.”