The Science Journalists Association of Australia is delighted to announce the three winners of our inaugural independent reporting grants program.
The SJAA judging panel was thrilled with the breadth of ideas and stories pitched by members across the country for SJAA’s inaugural grants program – funded for members by members.
It was especially impressed with and excited by the quality and clarity of the proposals from early career and student applicants. The future of science journalism in Australia is in good hands!
Lydia Hales won the inaugural Independent reporting grant, enabling her to travel from Tasmania to Newcastle to explore how Australian scientists are freezing reptiles for posterity.
Clare Watson was also awarded a grant for her superb pitch to seek out seagrass near Port Pirie. The Wollongong-based freelance science journalist will travel to the mining town to explore the cascading impacts of climate change and industrial pollution through the lens of a little-known underwater meadow and the people living nearby.
Recent journalism graduate Jordyn Beazley from Melbourne was awarded the student or early-career reporting grant. She’ll be exploring the sounds of the Murray River for an audio project – to understand what they can tell us about the river’s health.
The $750 SJAA grants enable journalists to seek out projects that they’d otherwise be unable to report on.
Alongside the grant funds, the winners will also have access to one-on-one mentoring and support from within the SJAA community.