The Student Publication Association Regional Awards are back for 2023!

For those of you unfamiliar, these awards aim to recognise the best work in each of the SPA’s eight regions – and give publications a chance to show off their work ahead of our national awards at the SPA National Conference in the spring.

The Regional Awards also recognises the work of our smaller and specialist member publications for the great work they do every single year.

We were thrilled with the number of entries this year and congratulations to all the winners.

Best Publication

This award recognises the best student publication in the region and shall take into account their overall relevance to their student community, the quality of content they produce, and the impact of their work.

North: Palatinate (winner), The Mancunion (highly commended).

Midlands: Impact Magazine (winner), Redbrick (highly commended).

South West: Exposé (winner), Epigram (highly commended).

London: Roar News (winner), The Orbital (highly commended).

South East: InQuire (winner).

Wales: Gair Rhydd (winner), Quench Magazine (highly commended).

Ireland & Northern Ireland: Limerick Voice (winner), The Scoop at Queen’s Radio (highly commended).

Scotland: Brig Newspaper (winner), The Glasgow Guardian (highly commended).

Outstanding Commitment

This award recognises outstanding commitment of an individual to their publication over the previous year, going above and beyond the call of duty.

North: Joe Rossiter, Palatinate (winner), Joe McFadden, The Mancunion (highly commended).

Midlands: Ella Johnson, Leicester Student Magazine (winner), Cara-Louise Scott, Redbrick (highly commended).

South West: Marine Saint, Epigram (winner), Joshua Hughes, Exeposé (highly commended).

London: Talia Andrea, STRAND Magazine (winner), Jack Curtis, Roar News (highly commended), Ishaan Rahman, Roar News (special mention).

South East: Sam Pegg, The Edge (winner).

Wales: Alexa Price, Quench Magazine (winner).

Ireland & Northern Ireland: Lauren McCann, The Scoop at Queen’s Radio (winner).

Scotland: Kimberley Mannion and Luke Chafer, The Glasgow Guardian (winner), Sophia Brousset, The Saint (highly commended).

Best Journalist 

This award rewards consistently exceptional content produced by an individual for their publication. It took into account the breadth of work, impact on the intended audience and the quality of journalism produced.

North: Maddie Parker, Palatinate (winner), Tabitha Lambie, SCAN (highly commended).

Midlands: Kit Sinclair, Impact Magazine (winner), Rhys Thomas, Impact Magazine (highly commended).

South West: Megan Ballantyne, Exposé (winner), Marine Saint, Epigram (highly commended).

London: Matteo Cardarelli, Roar News (winner), Mathilde Turner, The Cheese Grater (highly commended).

Wales: Rhiannon Farr, Quench Magazine (winner).

Ireland & Northern Ireland: Flavia Gouveia, The Scoop at Queen’s Radio (winner), James Kemmy, The University Express (highly commended).

Scotland: Luke Chafer, The Glasgow Guardian (winner), Athina Bohner, The Glasgow Guardian (highly commended), Rebecca Kerr, Brig Newspaper (special mention).

Best Newcomer Publication 

This award recognises the best new student publication in the region. Publications must be two years old or under. It took into account quality of content, relevance to the student community, and the impact of their work.

Midlands: Inside The Box, University Centre Peterborough (winner).

Scotland: The Creative Writing Society Compendium, Aberdeen University (winner).

Best Irish or Northern Irish Political Piece

This award recognises insightful political reporting from publications from Ireland or Northern Ireland. It took into account the quality of analysis, timeliness and relevance to the region.

‘A Vast Echo Chamber’: Is Northern Ireland Politics Still Failing Women? – Kirsty King, The Scoop at Queen’s Radio (winner), Ireland’s Political Landscape is Changing – James Kemmy, The University Express (highly commended).

Best Scottish Political Piece

This award recognises insightful political reporting from publications from Scotland. It took into account the quality of analysis, timeliness and relevance to the region.

Inside the Orange Order: An Interview with a Former Lodge Leader – Luke Chafer, The Glasgow Guardian (winner), University Chancellor in Gender Recognition Reform Comment Controversy – Ali Rees, Brig Newspaper (highly commended).

Best Wales Piece

This award recognises insightful reporting from publications from Wales. It took into account the quality of analysis, timeliness and relevance to the region.

Wales: A Nation of Literary Locations – Molly Openshaw for Quench Magazine (winner), Welsh Independence – Alexa Price for Quench Magazine (highly commended).