The Hugh Cudlipp Student Award 2025 has been won for a series of journalistic pieces described as “life-changing, life-saving” work.
Sharon Browne-Peter, a student journalist from News Associates, won the prestigious award for her body of work focused on sickle cell disease.
A sufferer of the disease herself, Browne-Peter wrote three compelling pieces pressing for more Black blood donors and raising awareness for a lifesaving cause, as well as a documentary for which she was the director, producer, and researcher.
Caroline Waterston, editor-in-chief of The Mirror, presented the award, adding that Browne-Peter’s submission was “life changing, lifesaving work combined with great storytelling”.
Browne-Peter’s work appeared in CNN, The Floor Magazine, and The Voice.
The Hugh Cudlipp award - supported by The Mirror and the London Press Club - took place at a special evening event this week.
The award is named after the late Lord Hugh Cudlipp, a former editor and editorial director of the Mirror Group, and a past president of the London Press Club.
Lord Cudlipp was a pioneer of 20th century popular tabloid journalism. The award in his memory is dedicated to recognising outstanding journalistic work by editorial students, with recipients being awarded a £1,000 prize.
Amongst the dozens of entries, two highly commended prizes were also awarded.
Sapphire Hope, another News Associates student, was praised for her piece in the Financial Times about the hardships of disabled jobseekers, inspired by her sister who has disabilities.
The piece highlighted injustices faced by graduate jobseekers with disabilities, with the investigative piece including multiple moving interviews.
Sophie O’Sullivan received a highly commended award for her documentary on Billingsgate Market. The documentary “beautifully captured not just market life, but a way of life under threat,” said Waterston.
Paul Wilkinson and Fabienne Dias were commended for their project on migration, which included relevant themes explored in depth, varied viewpoints, and touching testimonies from asylum seekers.
The award ceremony was followed by the annual Lord Cudlipp lecture, given this year by Ayesha Hazarika, former Standard journalist and now life peer in the House of Lords.
Past lecturers have included Financial Times Editor in Chief Roula Khalaf, George Osborne, James Harding, and Piers Morgan among others.
