HIGHER EDUCATION JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR ANNOUNCED
The Australian’s education editor Natasha Bita has been named this year’s Universities Australia Higher Education Journalist of the Year
Bita won for a series of long-form stories that illuminated the challenges of running Universities in Australia. She displayed considerable depth and application to a variety of higher education policies and covered several different aspects that impacted on the sector for both domestic and international students.
The judges said:
“This year’s field for this award was one of the strongest of excellent higher education journalism in recent memory. It made the task of judging a very challenging one and Natasha Bita is to be congratulated for her coverage.
The award carries a prize of $12,500 and their name inscribed on the National Press Club Honour Board
AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN UNIVERSITY RESEARCH REPORTING ANNOUNCED
Clare Watson, freelance science journalist is this year’s recipient of the University Research award.
Her story “Bacteria vs virus: death of dengue?” published in Cosmos Magazine provided a detailed account and context in examining the Australian-led university research that gave rise to the World Mosquito Program.
Her journalism helped readers understand and better appreciate the decade-long research effort that is now coming to fruition. With personal insights from researchers, readers came away with a newfound appreciation for the grit and determination required to take a discovery made in an Australian research lab, gather enough evidence that it works, and deliver it to the world.
The judges said:
It was a powerful example of Australian university-based research being exported and having a real Impact on the World, saving lives.
The award carries a prize of $2,500.
These awards are supported by Universities Australia, in partnership with the National Press Club of Australia.
Universities Australia Chief Executive Luke Sheehy said:
“Our universities play a critically important role in helping Australia grow and prosper. They help transform and shape our society through groundbreaking research and by educating skilled workers we need for a dynamic and growing economy.
The awards are an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the vast contributions our universities make to the nation by solving complex challenges and creating opportunities for positive transformation.”
ENDS
