The participants for the University of Central Lancashire’s (UCLan) Journalism Innovation and Leadership (JILeaders) Programme have been announced. The cohort features a line-up of 18 media professionals from around the world.

The group of 11 women and seven men bring with them a wide range of media experience from national broadcasters and news publishers to digital media start-ups and technology companies.

The JILeaders Programme is supported by the Google News Initiative, which provides funding for 12 scholarships places and the associated mentoring programme. Three of these scholarships are specifically open to the Society of Editors member organisations.

The JILeaders Programme Class of 2022, Society of Editors scholars are:

Nicola Adam, Editor of the Blackpool Gazette and Associate Editor of the Lancashire Post

Rhiannon J Davies, Founding Editor of the Greater Glasgow magazine

Laura Elvin-Knight, Head of News Content Discovery for South West News Service (SWNS)

Laura Elvin-Knight said:

“At SWNS we’re already spending lots of time discussing – and coming up with ideas and solutions for – the future of the industry.

I can’t wait to build on those conversations in a larger and external forum, which I’m very hopeful the course will offer.”

Dr François Nel, Reader in Media Innovation and Entrepreneurship at UCLan and course leader, said: “Following on from the success of our first cohort, we’re keen to once again bring together a group of like-minded individuals who share a passion for pushing the industry forward, embracing digital transformation and supporting their communities.

“Like the participants before them, we have no doubt they will learn a great deal from each other alongside benefitting from the expertise of their tutors and mentors.”

The class of 2022 will begin their JILeaders Programme course in January. For queries about future programmes and further scholarship opportunities, please contact the course leader Dr François Nel at: FPNel@uclan.ac.uk