Communication Studies 2020 Awards
AUT’s School of Communication Studies annual awards recognise the success and achievement of our amazing students and their fantastic work. Head of the School of Communication Studies, Rosser Johnson, says the school’s students faced challenges the likes of which they – and the staff – had never seen in 2020. “Now, more than ever, it’s appropriate to take the time to mark their achievement and excellence at our annual Awards Celebration. Every year I know how struck the lecturers and tutors are by the diligence, the creativity, and the innovation that goes into the work our students produce but this year those accomplishments are especially hard won and incredibly well deserved.
“Once again, we are recognising not just the award winners but all our Bachelor of Communication Studies students who come to AUT to learn not just how to be journalists, PR practitioners, radio and screen creators, advertising creatives, digital media wizards, but how to be better at doing all those things. We know they are better because we know they are the most accomplished in the country but they are also better in the sense that every year they achieve more and perform at higher levels than those who've come before. My colleagues and I say "this work is astonishingly good" every year, and every year after we get the great privilege to say it, and mean it, all over again.
“This year more than ever it’s possible to look at the world and be daunted by all that needs to happen. Particularly now, though, when we've all seen how important clear, thoughtful, and creative communication is for ourselves, our families, and our country as we navigate massive uncertainty, we can take a breath or two and be heartened by the fact that, while the communicators whose work we celebrate here will face big challenges, they have already proved they have the knowledge, the skills, and the commitment to meet them head on.
“Congratulations, once again, to all the award recipients.”
- Excellence in Communication Studies Award
Top Individual in the First Year of the Bachelor of Communication Studies
Joseph Hisayasu - Top Media Production Student Award
Top Individual in the Media Production courses within the First Year of the Bachelor of Communication Studies
Alana Rae - Top Radio Research Student Award
Top Research Project in the Bachelor of Communication Studies Radio Major
Joel Harrison - Top Radio Graduate Award
Top individual in the Bachelor of Communication Studies Radio Major
Cara Botica - Top Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism Award
Top individual in the School of Communication Studies Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism
Ye (Lucy) Xia - Top Journalism Graduate Award
Top individual in the Bachelor of Communication Studies Journalism Major
Samuel Wat - PRINZ Outside the Square Industry Project | Team Award
Top Project in the Bachelor of Communication Studies Public Relations Major
Eleanor Barrowclough
Kaycee Shaw
Laura Biddle
Zoe Garden
Ashleigh Helsham-Southgate - SenateSHJPublic Relations Award
Top Seminar Paper on Crisis Management in the Public Relations Major
Melina Mundy-Hermann - Digital Communication Excellence Award
Top individual in the Bachelor of Communication Studies Digital Communication Major
Kelsey Magherra - User Experience Award
Top individual in the web, user interface, and user experience courses within the Bachelor of Communication Studies Digital Communication Major
Jost Claassen - Creative Team of the Year Award
Top Team in the Bachelor of Communication Studies Advertising Creativity Major
Phaedra Starling (Art Director)
Hayley Tubb (Copywriter) - Advertising Strategist of the Year Award
Top individual in the Bachelor of Communication Studies Advertising Creativity Major
Keara Voigt - Excellence in Screen Production | Team Award
Top team in the Bachelor of Communication Studies Television and Screen Production Major
Juliet Mora and Keria Paterson - Excellence in Screen Production | Individual Award
Top individual in the Bachelor of Communication Studies Television and Screen Production Major
Waiata-Rose Monga
Thanks to the sponsors: Adobe, the Public Relations Institute of New Zealand and SenateSHJ.