Journalism – Page 2 – WEST

Alumnus and UWS Lecturer Launches Season 2 of Podcast Series

10Dec

By uwsalumniNo Comments

Alumni Stories, News

Alumnus and UWS Lecturer Launches Season 2 of Podcast Series

A University of the West of Scotland (UWS) alumnus and current lecturer has launched the second season of his acclaimed podcast series One Cap Wonders. Journalism lecturer and postdoctoral researcher Dr James Mahon from the University’s school of BCI has recently launched the second season of his podcast series. Season 1 featured interviews with former Kilmarnock, Rangers and Celtic football stars including Chris Sutton and Mark Wilson both of whom only appeared once for England and Scotland respectively at senior national team level. In season 2 James goes beyond the UK with ex St Mirren favourites Stelios Demetriou and Jim Goodwin along with US soccer player Eddie Robinson and Croatian goalkeeper Dario Kresic. The series launch coincides with Dr Mahon taking over module coord...

Celebrating 20 years of Journalism at UWS

21Nov

By uwsalumniNo Comments

Alumni Stories, News

Celebrating 20 years of Journalism at UWS

University of the West of Scotland (UWS) celebrated 20 years of the BA Journalism degree programme with an alumni event in Paisley recently. Former and current staff, alumni and recent graduates got together to mark the 20th year of the highly successful Journalism degree and to share memories and experiences since graduation. Dr. Margaret Hughes, Senior Lecturer and Programme Leader, commented: “It was wonderful to see so many familiar faces that have become household names in print or on TV and Radio. It has been a huge privilege to have worked with so many successful UWS journalism students and graduates. They inspire me every day and I am enormously proud of their achievements and the role that UWS has played in helping them achieve their dreams and goals.” Although there was ...

Mastermind Host Amongst UWS Honorary Doctorates Awarded at Winter Graduations

15Nov

By uwsalumniNo Comments

Honorary Graduates, News

Mastermind Host Amongst UWS Honorary Doctorates Awarded at Winter Graduations

A sextet of influential figures, including journalist and broadcaster Clive Myrie, were celebrated at UWS's winter graduations in November. Education qualifications leader, Aileen Ponton, and social entrepreneur and CEO of Dare2Lead, John Loughton, were recognised on Tuesday 12 November. On Thursday 14 November, author Alex Gray received her Honorary Doctorate in the morning ceremony, with UWS alumni and Chief Scientist of The Alan Turing Institute Professor Mark Girolami receiving his award in the afternoon. On Friday morning, another UWS alumni, Angela Noon OBE, Chief Financial Offier at Spectris received her Honorary Doctorate. The week of awardees concluded with journalist, broadcaster and writer, Clive Myrie receiving his degree at the afternoon ceremony. Aileen ...

BBC Documentary – My Alopecia and Me – Presented by UWS Graduate

31Aug

By uwsalumniNo Comments

Alumni Stories

BBC Documentary – My Alopecia and Me – Presented by UWS Graduate

A University of the West of Scotland (UWS) graduate presents a new documentary 'My Alopecia and Me' for the BBC, talking to people suffering from the hair-loss condition. For the first time medication for alopecia areata will be available on the NHS. More than 100,000 people in the UK live with this type of condition. UWS journalism graduate Thomas Mackintosh, who has alopecia areata, goes on a personal journey in the documentary talking to families and individuals about the impact the condition has had on them. “Earlier this year, new medication for alopecia was made available on the NHS”, commented Thomas on Instagram. “I go on a journey to meet those keen to try the new drug, those who aren’t and those who think it could be life-changing.” There are different types of alo...

Honorary Graduate Launches New Book About His Ayrshire Childhood

2Jul

By uwsalumniNo Comments

Honorary Graduates

Honorary Graduate Launches New Book About His Ayrshire Childhood

Honorary graduate and award-winning Scottish writer Billy Kay, has launched his new book Born in Kyle, which goes back to his linguistic and cultural roots and celebrates a sense of place and belonging in his native Galston in Ayrshire’s Irvine Valley. Billy Kay is one of the most influential figures in the Scots revival of the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Through radio, television, plays, creative writing and especially his hugely influential book Scots The Mither Tongue, Billy's work helped change negative attitudes surrounding Scots and paved the way for its extended acceptance as a key element in Scottish cultural identity. On receiving his honorary doctorate in 2019 in Troon Billy commented: “I was delighted to hear that my work in promoting Scottish culture has been reco...

New Book Release Inspired by Graduate’s Visits to Paisley

7Mar

By uwsalumni1 Comment

Alumni Stories, News

New Book Release Inspired by Graduate’s Visits to Paisley

An international graduate from University of the West of Scotland (UWS) has released a new novel inspired, in part, from her time studying in Scotland. Karen Spears Zacharias is an American writer, a former journalist, and author of numerous books. She completed an MA in Creative Media Practice at University of the West Scotland’s Ayr Campus in 2022. For me, Paisley was as much of a historical figure as Carrie. Once a thriving textile centre, time has diminished the town. I was mesmerized by Paisley’s and Carrie’s shared fates, as both were cut off from that which made them fertile. It was as if the cries of Carrie echoed in the winds of Paisley. Why did you choose to study the Creative Media Practice programme at UWS and how did you find out about the course/university...

21Dec

By uwsalumniNo Comments

News

A History of Festive Number Ones

With days to go until Christmas, University of the West of Scotland's Dr Stephen Langston has written a brief history of the festive number one for The Herald. Stephen is a leading composer and producer of Musicals whilst pioneering musical theatre education in Scotland at the University. As an academic he is Programme Leader for Performance and Senior Lecturer in Media and Arts at the University of the West of Scotland (UWS). In 2020 he was awarded a PhD in 'The Golden Ratio as an Influencing Factor within the Compositional Structure of Sung through Musicals'. His research has led to numerous international press articles and publications. Read the full article on the Herald website.

UWS lecturer appointed to major journalism role

17Aug

By uwsalumniNo Comments

News

UWS lecturer appointed to major journalism role

A senior lecturer from University of the West of Scotland’s School of Business and Creative Industries has been appointed Chair of an internationally influential journalism group. Dr Margaret Hughes, Programme Leader for BA Journalism, has been elected Chair of the World Journalism Education Council (WJEC). The globally-respected organisation represents universities worldwide that are involved in journalism and mass communication, seeking to provide a space for educators to focus on issues that are universal in the field. Dr Hughes said: “It is a huge privilege to have been elected Chair of the WJEC and to take over from Verica Rupar is no small task. I am very much looking forward to working with journalism educators from across all of our member organisations to provide suppo...

Former UWS student set for new role at Heart Radio

14Apr

By uwsalumni1 Comment

News

Former UWS student set for new role at Heart Radio

University of the West of Scotland (UWS) graduate Grace Nicoll has been announced as the new host of the weekend afternoon show for Heart Scotland radio. Posting on social media, she said: “I am so buzzed to let you all know that I am taking over Heart Scotland Weekends! I’ll be getting you excited for the weekend and soundtracking your Saturday and Sunday from 12pm to 4pm.” BA (Hons) Broadcast Production graduate Grace told the University: “I am really excited to take on my position at Heart Scotland, it’s something I never thought would ever happen to me, it was always a nice thought but now it’s finally happening.” Grace who graduated from the University’s Ayr Campus in 2014 remembers her time at UWS fondly, “Studying at UWS helped me gain the key skills I needed to be a presen...

UWS Journalism graduate on what it takes to make the news

23Mar

By uwsalumni1 Comment

Alumni Stories, Profiles

UWS Journalism graduate on what it takes to make the news

“Anything is possible, if you work hard, give everything a go and keep an open mind about the opportunities available to you,” says Siobhann Dunn, UWS Journalism graduate, who is now senior journalist and programme producer of BBC Scotland’s Drivetime show, working everyday with well-established presenters such as John Beattie and Fiona Stalker. Siobhann was a direct entry student in year 2 of the BA (Hons) Journalism programme in 2016, having completed an HNC in Radio Production at West College Scotland. However, Siobhann’s route into journalism was less than traditional – she started out in hair-dressing! “Although I was always interested in journalism and what was going on in the world, at school I just never imagined myself doing it,” she explains. “So, I left school...