Journalism Leadership Masters is launched

By UKJournalism

When researchers from the Department of Journalism recently surveyed senior editorial staff across media sectors in the UK, they found that the vast majority - 67 per cent of respondents - were keen to take part in professional development activities.

But many of the 148 editors, producers and senior journalists who responded to the online questionnaire also noted that there were few appropriate opportunities for them to do so.

"That is about to change", says FranÁois Nel, who co-authored the study with Andrew Dickinson. FranÁois adds: "This autumn we will be launching our new Journalism Leaders Programme which we firmly believe will go a long way to meeting this need."

FranÁois, who will also lead the implementation of the new programme, is not alone in his enthusiasm. "I find it totally relevant", said Raymonde Griswold, head of the European Journalism Centre and a member of the team that considered the course for validation. "And there is a need," she added.

Flexible programme

FranÁois says that the flexible programme, which will be delivered through a combination of intensive residential blocks and extensive online discussion and support, aims to equip experienced professionals for leadership roles in an increasingly complex and unpredictable media landscape.

"Its not only the content that is innovative, itís also the structure and the way it will be taught," he says. "The courseís flexibility mean that participants will set the pace. They will be able to enrol for a single 10-week module or work towards a postgraduate certificate, postgraduate diploma or master of arts degree in Journalism Leadership."

"Journalism training programmes have been offered at Preston since 1962," noted Andrew Dickinson, who teamed up with Nel to develop the course. "So we were able to use our strong industry links to ensure the course content is both relevant and cutting edge," he added.

Actively contributed

Keith Sutton, current president of the Society of Editors in the UK, and Dr Lillian Dunlap, formerly of the Poynter Institute in the US, where amongst those who actively contributed.

"Congratulations on your enthusiastic thumbs up from the validation panel", wrote Dunlap in an e-mail when she heard of the course was approved. "Youíve got a great product."

For more details about the research or the programme, which is currently accepting applications, visit the MA Journalism Leader Programme course homepage or contact the course leader FranÁois Nel at FPNel@uclan.ac.uk.

Extra and related information

Our print and broadcast courses are accredited by the The Broadcast Journalism Training Council and the National Council for the Training of Journalists. Our MA Magazine Journalism is accredited by the Periodicals Training Council.