Student journalists from across the University of Cambridge have been commended by a panel of highly-respected judges for their exemplary work covering divestment, young US voters, misconduct complaints, and language and music culture.
Cambridge students excel in University’s first-ever journalism prize
Posted:
18 Mar 2025
The winners of the inaugural Trinity Hall Prize in Student Journalism, the first of its kind at Cambridge, were announced yesterday (17 March) at a special event in College. Chosen from a strong field of entries covering a variety of topics and mediums, the winners demonstrate the vibrant and enduring student journalism scene at Cambridge.
Following the presentation to the winners, the Prize judges – Andrew Baker, James Coomarasamy, Mary Hockaday and Datshiane Navanayagam – spoke to aspiring journalists from across the University about how they forged their careers, their advice for up-and-coming journalists and why, despite the challenges, good journalism is more important than ever.
The winners
Winner – News
Wilf Vall, undergraduate, 2023 HSPS (Sociology), Trinity Hall, Editor-in-Chief at Varsity
Trinity backtracks on divestment/Trinity College master ‘regrets’ £250k fund for Ukrainian students
Varsity, The Times 15/12/2024
“A strong and well-written piece of journalism, which took some real digging to source and effort to understand the nuances. The topic is highly relevant to the student and university community and more widely.” – Prize judges
Winner – Features
Scout Brobst, postgraduate, 2024 Divinity, Murray Edwards College
‘I’m so exhausted’: How young Americans are feeling about the election
Dazed [print issue released Sep. 2024]; Dazed Digital [published Nov. 2024]
“A highly readable, engaging and deeply reported piece ensuring a wide range of young voices were heard in the run-up to the US presidential Election. Deftly structured, through layers of personal responses, and effectively challenging editorial preconceptions.” – Prize judges
Runner-up – News
Felix Armstrong, undergraduate, 2022 English, Homerton College
Cambridge staff kept jobs after upheld sexual misconduct complaints
Varsity, 04/10/2024
“A clearly written and well-structured piece on a sensitive topic of real importance to the student community. It properly reflected some of the complexity and included due right of reply.” – Prize judges
Runner-up – Features
Aniya Pramanik, undergraduate, 2023, Department of Theoretical and Applied Linguistics, Lucy Cavendish College
The Bengali Language Movement Through Music
CamFM radio and YouTube, 22/04/2024
“An absorbing listen, on an important and revelatory topic. We liked the creative use of sound and the good variety of voices.” – Prize judges
The judges
The judging panel was formed of highly-respected journalists, all Trinity Hall alumni, who are experienced in a range of media formats.
- Andrew Baker – Writer and Editor at The Telegraph
- James Coomarasamy – Presenter of The World Tonight and Newshour on the BBC and former BBC Russia Correspondent
- Mary Hockaday – Master, Trinity Hall; formerly Controller, BBC World Service English and Head of the BBC News Room
- Datshiane Navanayagam – Investigative reporter and broadcaster, reporting and presenting for the BBC, ITV and Channel 4
Main image left to right: Wilf Vall, Scout Brobst, Felix Armstrong, Aniya Pramanik
About the Trinity Hall Prize in Student Journalism
The Trinity Hall Prize in Student Journalism has been created to encourage aspiring journalists and recognise the importance of journalism in holding power to account and supporting a free, civil society.
Each year for the next five years, prizes will be awarded to outstanding student journalists from across the University of Cambridge in the categories of News and Features. The Prize is open to both undergraduates and postgraduates studying any subject at the University of Cambridge. Applications for the 2025/6 Prize will open in Michaelmas term 2025.
The Prize is supported by Jim Passamano, Trinity Hall Law alumnus, and Beth Sufian.