The BJTC AGM and Summer Conference 2025
Thursday 3rd July
A free event open to industry partners and all course leaders and lecturers teaching on BJTC Accredited or Advisory courses
We are delighted to invite our partners to gather in-person for the BJTC’s annual AGM and Summer Conference at the University of Salford on July 3rd, where you are encouraged to mingle with colleagues and explore the opportunities and challenges facing our industry.
DATE: Thursday 3rd July
VENUE: University of Salford,
ARRIVAL: 10:15am for 10:30am start
10:30
Registration
11:00
AGM
Ralph Bernard
11:10
An Update on the BJTC and Accreditation Requirements
Jon Godel
11:45
Students Journalists – Wellbeing, Confidence and Resilience Teaching
Kate Ironside – BJTC Deputy Chair and Programme Leader, University of Northampton
Miriam Phillips – Programme Leader for undergraduate journalism, Bournemouth University
12:30
BJTC Awards – The Secrets of Winning
Richard Frediani, Editor, BBC Breakfast at BBC News, Co-Chair BJTC Awards
Stuart Thomas, Head of the Midlands, BBC, Co-Chair BJTC Awards
13:00
Networking Lunch
14:00
‘Podcasting – It’s Not Radio’ – What Are the Skills Students Need to Succeed?
Sandy Warr – Head of Podcasting, Senior Lecturer, City University
Mike Carr – CEO at Crowd Network
Darren Harper – Lecturer at Leeds Trinity University, Podcaster at LS11 Media LTD
14:45
AI in the Newsroom – What Are Students Going to Need to Know?
Gary Rogers – Journalist, newsroom innovator, consultant at Fathm
Paul Bradshaw – Data journalist, lecturer, Birmingham City University
15:30
Summary and Close
Free for our course leaders, teaching staff and industry partners, the Summer Conference is a chance to network with colleagues, debate the issues and catch up on the latest news from the BJTC
(There’s also a free lunch!)
1030 – Registration
1100 – BJTC updates and AGM
1200 – The impact of digital courts, cameras in courts, and latest government policy on court reporting and open justice. How does this affect our students, their access to courts and their future careers?
1245 – What is the latest news on graduate training schemes? This is a chance to ask the BBC, Sky and ITV more about what’s available for your students and how best to prepare them to apply.
1315 – Lunch
1400 – Understanding best practice in inclusive reporting and reflecting all sections of society in their storytelling is essential for our students. Media Trust shares its advice and we explore the different ways our course leaders implement awareness of inclusive reporting in their programmes.
1500 – How useful are newsdays really? Myra Evans from UWE Bristol shares her findings and offers recommendations after completing research on teaching journalism through practice.
1520 – Update on placements – where is industry at with re-introducing placements after lockdown?
1530 – Wrap up and questions
1545 – Close
*For those who do not need to rush off – there will be an opportunity for a tour of the new BBC Wales facilities, which are next door to the conference venue at around 4pm.