nujadm.org.uk

Chris Wheal (Whealie)

I am an award-winning freelance journalist, editor and trainer. I run my own company, Wheal Associates, with my wife, Kate, producing magazines for membership organisations.

I write web news between 6am and 8am every weekday morning for established UK B2B magazines.

I have been the British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA) business journalist of the year. I have twice  been the BIBA consumer journalist of the year (once tabloid, once broadsheet). I have been highly commended in the trade feature category.

I chair the National Union on Journalists’ (NUJ’s) Professional Training Committee (ProfCom). I was ProfCom’s first ever chair and have remained chair since. I was responsible for establishing the student conference and I am in charge of this year’s web coverage at ADM.

I regularly speak at schools and universities. I am one of The Guardian’s careers forum’s panel of experts for journalism. I work closely with the National Union of Students (NUS) on student media issues.

I am a delegate from London Magazine Branch and have attended every ADM since Blackpool 1991. I also chair the NUJ’s charity, NUJ Extra.

Links for Chris (open new windows)

• Chris’s blog
• Wheal Associates
• The Zebra (Chris’s zebra-painted motorbike)
• NUJ Extra
• The Guardian careers forum for journalism

Kat Lay

I am a freelance journalist and journalism tutor.

I teach media law and newswriting to National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) students at News Associates Journalism Training.

Links for Kat (open new windows)

• www.katlay.com
• NCTJ
• News Associates Journalism Training

Elinor Zuke

I’m Elinor Zuke. I work as a journalist at Labels & Labeling, a trade magazine for a growing global industry. Since starting in June I’ve been sent to cover stories in Brussels, Finland and Switzerland. And Wigan.

I have a postgraduate diploma in Investigative Journalism from City University, and have had stories published in newspapers and magazines.

I joined the NUJ because I’d always sort of romanticised trade unionism, and of course wanted a press card, but found the training and support incredibly helpful while I edited London Student. I also did work experience at the Journalist, which gave me my first non-student media cuttings.

The students

Emma Patterson

Mature student in the final year of a BA(Hons) Photography degree.  Returned to University after many years wrestling with egos in the corporate world.  Have become involved in the SU magazine and realise that I love to interview, report and take the photos!  I want to become involved and learn more about the machinations of the NUJ.

Luke James

I am 21 and from Penarth, near Cardiff in South Wales.

My first opportunity in journalism came at my local newspaper The Penarth Times where I worked as an editorial assistant and was given the chance to cover a number of local news stories.

Since moving to study Politics at Swansea University in 2007 I have served as a reporter, deputy news editor, news editor and chief reporter at the SU newspaper The Waterfront.

I have also had a number of articles included in the South Wales Echo and the Cardiff City FC match program.

I joined the NUJ as a student member last year after hearing about the campaigns surrounding work experience. In my spare time I enjoy politics, football and like most students a good party.

Ashley Scrace

I’m a 20-year-old Journalism student, currently at the University of Sheffield and enjoying every second of it.

Journalism is passion of mine in any format – though making a career in radio is my ambition. So what better union to join than one which offers advice, stands up for your rights and eases you into this competitive and demanding industry? It’s why I joined the NUJ. I know I’m part of a community of similar people.

My other passions are music and film. I consider myself a bit of a buff in both – albeit rather quite selectively to rock music and Clint Eastwood films.

Kane Mumford

I’m 23, I’m a 2nd year journalism student and I’m writing this at 8:17  before a three hour long media law lecture. I’m actually quite happy to go to a law lecture: that must tell you something about me.

My experience is in music journalism and general news and features but I don’t want to limit myself to any one field just yet.

I joined the union because it benefits the general public as well as news professionals – If the Fourth Estate is to function as it should then it needs a union, otherwise the managers would have us all churning out even more rubbish.

David Hedges

I am a second year photography degree student from the University of Plymouth. I have been focusing on documentary photography & photojournalism through out my time at Plymouth, which got me onto the university newspaper, “The Knowledge”, which I contribute photos (both news and sports) to.

I joined the NUJ because i think it is important to have the support from the very beginning. Being a part of a network of journalists that actively want to support the profession is a vital part of being a journalist.

I love visual media, and believe it has an extremely important role in journalism, that is why I hope to go on from my degree into a job in photojournalism.

Jim Bulley

I am a student journalist and award-winning photographer writing for Nouse, the NUS Student Media of the Year, at the University of York. I am a 2nd year Politics student. For the past year I held the position of News Editor, although I have recently become the Wed Editor of www.nouse.co.uk.

Although a print journalist at heart, I have recently become involved with the video and audio aspects of the website. I am also a prolific blogger. I occasionally photograph for print, although my photography is generally purely artistic.

In the last year I have also spent some time reporting from the Middle East for Nouse.

Rachel Hanretty

Coming from the University of St Andrews where I study English and French, I am currently on my year abroad in Paris as a language assistant in a tough, urban high school.

Although St Andrews doesn’t offer any specific journalism courses it has a fully independent Student newspaper, “The Saint” and student online radio (www.standrewsradio.com) both of which I have been involved in

While in Paris I am hoping to focus on freelancing which is partly why I joined the NUJ – a supportive base while I try to ‘break in’. Naturally, I happen to be writing a novel too.

Zoe Rafah

I am a Journalism degree student at LCC.  It is my dream to be a great showbiz journalist in Los Angeles.

I am enjoying my Journalism degree a great deal and am very excited about my future prospects at the end of this year. I joined the NUJ as I wanted to become part of a community of like minded people, and I was also enticed by the doors which the NUJ card opens to special events.

I am very proud of being part of the NUJ as the professional conduct of the organization gives me more confidence in my field.

Matthew Aslett

I’m a documentary photographer. My work has so far dealt with social issues ranging from immigration to conflict and questions the effectiveness of tradition approaches to news gathering within the new digital era.

My interest is in the use of photography as an effective tool of social reform and a purveyor of truth and information fundamental to the democratic system.

With the decline of print media and the rise of citizen journalism and the increased dissemination of information via the internet, I am concerned about the standards of journalism that are required to communicate effectively to a more image aware and cautious public audience.

Lizzie Houghton

I started writing for newspapers when I was sixteen and since then I have won awards, interviewed plenty of politicians, been a paid writer and reached the highest position at my student paper which isn’t elected by the campus population (and have had to deal with plenty of mishaps on the way). Nothing much fazes me anymore about the world of journalism.

I joined the NUJ simply because I believe in unions and the role they play. As someone who wants to go into print journalism I feel the NUJ is doubly important, as I know the trade I want to go into is on its last legs.

Dan Read

I am a former freelance with a keen interest in political affairs, human rights, and trade union issues. I joined the NUJ as I realise the importance of the union movement in regards to both labour rights and the written word. I am also keen to learn from other members and take in everything it has to offer.

Jane Hobson

Having been bashed over the head by a horse and an erstwhile boss (the former literally and the latter figuratively) I decided to have my mid-life crisis (during a recession is probably the best time for one) and retrain as a photographer.

Press and PJ has crept up on me as my area of choice. Or, rather, it chose me. And now it is my master. For more info, buy me a drink in the bar.

Julija Jegorova

For as long as I can remember, journalism has fascinated me. Whenever I encounter an interesting piece of art, I seek to explore every aspect of it.

Journalism is my first (and last) love and passion. It is the only profession in my life I would like to do because reporting news and telling people the truth about the world is the major journalist’s duty, which, to my mind, should be made excellent.

My goal is not to become “extremely popular hostess”, but to become professional and successful in the journalism field I have chosen.

The NUJ gives you great opportunities to achieve your goals and ambitions. It gives you a real taste of what journalism work is about.

Damian Jozwik

I was born in Sosnowiec, Poland. After graduating from Technical College in 2003, I began to study philosophy at the Silesian University. In 2005 I decided to move to the UK, where I began to study Documentary and Fine Art Photography at the Stockport College.

My signature is shooting photos that tell a story. I prefer candid shots that capture the immediacy and spontaneous emotion of a moment. My documentary reportages and photos reveal a deeply complex social understanding while still offering an exquisite artistic vision. After graduation Iplan to document various humanitarian charity projects.

I joined NUJ primarily to get press freedom and legal advice, but also because I wanted to be in a professional environment, where one can exchange ideas and meet people with similar interests.

Shiryn Burns-Hill

I am a finalist broadcast journalism student at the University of the Arts London. I have spent the last two years producing a number of small journalistic programs, also got the opportunity to work with industry, future forecasting for Proctor and Gamble.

My graduating film is on the future of Media and Journalism, with a web based research platform for a proactive audience.

In my spare time I produce short films for the Territorial Army on their Adventure Training, which is also a big interest of mine.

Michael Copus

I am a third year journalism student specialising in radio journalism.

I am the editor of the UCA student newspaper, Canvas, which is distributed to all the students and staff of the university for free.

Outside of university I write for a variety of music websites and magazines. I am hoping to expand my skills in a more news based environment however.

I joined the NUJ because even though I’m at the early stages of a career in journalism, it’s important to belong to a union who will defend my rights and help develop my skills, especially in this turbulent time!

Benjamin Wells

I am an undergraduate studying English Literature and History at Lancaster University, hoping to go on to do a Masters degree in Journalism. In my time at Lancaster I spent a year serving as the editor of my college magazine and have written for the student newspaper SCAN. I am also a keen amateur photographer and musician.

I joined the NUJ to learn more about journalism and gain an understanding of the industry I hope to enter after my degree.  In attending and covering the ADM I look forward to taking advantage of the networking opportunities available, and gaining real experience working in and around journalism.

Luke Deakin

I am an aspiring journalist, studying Journalism and English at Coventry University, with a view to move into music journalism once my degree is finished. Music is my passion, but writing is my strength, so I could think of nothing better than combining the two things I feel passionate about, and adept at doing.

I joined the NUJ back in my first year as I felt that it was the sensible thing to do. I felt that to succeed in the career I had chosen, it would be necessary to keep myself abreast on the issues that would inevitable hold sway in the world of journalism.

Caroline Beavon

I have worked in radio news for the past 9 years, but was made redundant over the summer. I decided to go back to university to study Online Journalism as this had become an important part of my jobn and I can see the web becoming even more important in the future.

I have been a member of the NUJ for several years and have enjoyed the feeling of security in having a union behind me. The union was especially helpful during my redundancy negotiations.

Carl Leighton

I am a third year Broadcast Journalism student at the University of Sunderland. I’m from County Durham though live in Sunderland for university.

In my spare time I enjoy socialising with friends; playing PS3, reading, going to gigs and watching Sunderland AFC. I also enjoy playing guitar.

I joined the NUJ because I felt it would be good to be part of the union which could help me later in my career and also now with opportunities such as the ADM.

Vicki-Jane Appleton

I am a mature student hailing from Milton Keynes but now living and working in Cardiff. My main passion is photography although I am a keen writer and painter in my free time.

My ambition is to document human rights abuses around the world, trying to influence and increase public awareness and with hope and hard work, to effect change in society.

I am currently in my second year, studying a BA in Documentary Photography. I joined the NUJ in order to keep updated on the events and news in the field I wish to be a part of.