Journalism Education Reimagined: Global Perspectives, Future Pathways
Journalism Education Reimagined: Global Perspectives, Future Pathways
Share this event
Journalism Education Reimagined: Global Perspectives, Future Pathways
July 8 & 10, 2025 | Online Conference
-----
Lead Institution: Birmingham Centre for Media and Cultural Research, Birmingham City University (UK)
Partner Institutions:
Caribbean School of Media and Communication (CARIMAC) The University of the West Indies, Jamaica (Mona)
Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication (SIMC), Symbiosis International University, India (Pune)
-----
Creating transformative dialogue between Global North and South journalism educators, industry leaders, and policy specialists.
Conference Overview
From Dialogue to Declaration to Action
As journalism education faces unprecedented challenges, from the UK's £108 million higher education cuts to similar pressures worldwide, this conference creates intentional dialogue between Global North and South perspectives to reimagine education for democratic society.
This carefully balanced exchange recognises that innovation flows in all directions, the Global South isn't simply catching up to Northern models; it's pioneering approaches too.
Two-Day Journey
Day 1: Global Innovation Showcase
Tuesday, July 8, 2025 | 11:00 AM - 3:15 PM BST
OPENING SESSION (11:00 - 11:15 AM) BST
11:00 AM - 11:15 AM BST
11:00 - 11:15 AM
Welcome & Conference Vision - Dr Rachel-Ann Charles (Caribbean/UK), Conference Chair, Birmingham City University
Opening Remarks - Ms Sylvie Coudray, Director, Division for Freedom of Expression, Media Development, and Media and Information Literacy. Secretary, International Programme for the Development of Communication. UNESCO.
SESSION 1: DIGITAL TEACHING INNOVATION (11:15 AM - 12:30 PM) BST
- Dr Sushobhan Patankar Symbiosis International University (India) - "Using Mobile Journalism for Multimedia Storytelling and Documentary Filmmaking"
- Dr Abhishek Roy Symbiosis International University (India) - "The Augmented Journalist – Access & Inclusion of AI Technology in Marathi Regional News Media in India"
- Dr Noha Atef University of Galway (Egypt/Ireland) - "Teaching Social Media to Gen Z: Cross-Cultural Experiences"
- Paul Bradshaw - Associate Professor Birmingham City University (UK) - "AI Diary and CustomGPT: Lessons from AI Integration"
- Tshepo Tshabalala JournalismAI, London School of Economics (UK) - Bridging the Gap of AI and Journalism Training
SESSION 2: GLOBAL COLLABORATIVE NETWORKS (12:40 - 1:40 PM) BST
- Adala Khalil University of West London (UK) - "Where theory ends and Journalism Begins: A student’s perspective on launching an independent platform"
- Dr Carolyne M. Lunga City, University of London (UK) - "Cross-border Investigative Journalism Education: Possibilities and challenges"
- Hannah Ajala BBC & We Are Black Journos (UK /Nigeria) Award-winning journalist - "How your ideas can have the magnitude to go global"
- Dr Lia Seixas Universidade Federal da Bahia (Brazil) - "Academic Dialogue Between Regions"
- Dr Ruchi Kher Jaggi Symbiosis International University (India) - "The Future Is Co-Taught: Lessons from India"
SESSION 3: EQUITABLE TECHNOLOGY & INDUSTRY ALIGNMENT (2:00 - 2:50 PM) BST
- Adrian Ma - Associate Professor Toronto Metropolitan University (Canada) - "Open Educational Resources and Accessibility"
- Rod Amner - Senior Lecturer Rhodes University (South Africa) - "Community-Centered Journalism in University-Owned Newsrooms"
- Co-presenters: Phila-Nathi Mapisa & Aphiwe Ngowapi (MA Students) Rhodes University (South Africa)
- Farah Jallad Arab Reporters for Investigative Journalism (ARIJ) Senior Editor (Arab Context) - "Industry-Academia Collaboration in Investigative Journalism"
- Nikolia Apostolou Global Investigative Journalism Network (GIJN) Resource Center Director (Global context) - Democratising Journalism Education
Conference Close 3:00 - 3:10 PM BST
- Hilary Scott - Senior Lecturer University of Northampton: Keeping it real – a critical reflection on how UK HE practical journalism courses keep pace with an evolving industry
DAY 2: Knowledge Exchange & G-North-South Journalism Education Network Formation
Thursday, July 10 | 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM BST
Strategic Working Groups (choose your focus):
- Policy & Standards: Journalism Educational framework, advocacy strategies
- Collaborative Publication: Co-authored book, research partnerships
- Partnership Models: Exchange programmes, resource-sharing protocols
G North-South Journalism Education Network Formation: Establish named global network
Special Conference Feature
🏛️ International Support Statement on Journalism Education
Be Part of a Global Response
Building on existing statements to the Department for Education by AJE, BJTC, NCTJ and MeCCSA, help create and sign a historic collective statement that strengthens and amplifies the global voice affirming journalism's democratic importance and challenging narratives that journalism education is expendable.
Therefore, this conference culminates in the signing of the International Support Statement on Journalism Education, a collective declaration from global institutions expressing solidarity with journalism education worldwide and addressing the international implications of funding cuts affecting our field.
As a participant, you'll:
Contribute to statement development through conference discussions
Represent your institution as a signatory to this international response
Join a historic global North-South solidarity action on education funding pressures
Create a powerful collective voice demonstrating journalism education's global interconnectedness
Help document how funding decisions in one region affect partnerships worldwide
The support statement will be developed collaboratively during the conference and signed during the closing ceremony.
What Makes This Dialogue Unique
🌍 Genuine Global North-South Exchange Innovation flows in all directions—the Global South isn't catching up; it's pioneering approaches the North needs to learn from.
🤝 Action-Oriented Outcomes Move beyond discussion to collaborative framework building with concrete deliverables and international solidarity.
📜 Historic International Support Statement All participants invited to sign the International Support Statement on Journalism Education, a collective response to global funding pressures whilst affirming journalism's democratic importance.
🔬 Cutting-Edge Practices From AI integration to mobile journalism, community-centred approaches to cross-cultural pedagogy.
🌐 Building Resilient Partnerships Develop frameworks for sustainable North-South collaboration that strengthen rather than create dependencies.
Registration Options
🎓 Day 1 Only: Global Innovation Showcase
Perfect for: Learning-focused participants
What's Included: ✅ Access to all Day 1 sessions
✅ Interactive Q&A with global speakers
✅ Session recordings for 6 months
✅ Resource materials and presentation slides
💰 FREE REGISTRATION
🎓 Day 2 Only: Roundtable
Perfect for: Action-oriented participants seeking ongoing collaboration
What's Included: ✅ Everything from Day 1 Plus:
✅ Access to Day 2 working groups
✅ Collaborative framework development
✅ Global North-South network membership
✅ Working group participation opportunities
✅ Priority access to future initiatives
💰 FREE REGISTRATION