The first annual Rupert Cornwell Student Prize has been won by City student Caitlin Allen (MA International Journalism). Her winning proposal is to investigate surrogacy in East Europe.
Published (Updated )
The award is given to a City student in honour of the memory of Rupert Cornwell, the gifted foreign correspondent who worked for many years for The Independent and was noted for his beautifully written, prescient and insightful dispatches. He died in 2017 in Washington DC, age 71 years.
Caitlin says, “I feel very honoured to be the first winner of the Rupert Cornwell Student Prize. It’s a great confidence boost, as I brave a career in journalism at this uncertain time!
“I’m so grateful to the Rupert Cornwell Trust, the Cornwell family, the Independent and City, that I have the chance to pursue my ‘Wombs for Rent’ story. I hope I can capture some of the spirit of Rupert Cornwell’s memorable reporting.”
Caitlin Allen (MA International Journalism)
She is now looking for job: “I’m hoping to find a role which allows me to do some in-depth reporting, in either written or documentary form. I’m particularly drawn to social issues surrounding medicine and health.” She adds.
The award is for £1500 and is funded by Rupert’s family and is for postgraduate students with an interest in working as a foreign correspondent. It requires applicants to set out a proposal to report a significant story outside of the UK in Europe, Ex-Soviet Union or North America.
The panel of judges included Sean Cornwell, Susan Cornwell and Olivia Alabaster, News Editor at The Independent.
On behalf of the judges Sean says, "Caitlin's proposal on surrogacy in Georgia was well written and thought out and brings to life in an original manner a topic which has not received much coverage internationally.
"The judges are excited by the project and believe Caitlin is a worthy recipient of the first Rupert Cornwell Grant at City."
Dr Paul Lashmar, The Head of City’s Department of Journalism adds his congratulations to Caitlin:
“Who had very compelling proposal in a strong field of contenders. She has been an extremely engaged student and I hope the award will help her find her first step in her journalism career.”
Dr Paul Lashmar, The Head of City’s Department of Journalism
Rupert Cornwell: In the late 1960s, Rupert joined the Financial Times as a foreign correspondent based in Paris. From France, he moved to Rome, and then Bonn.
The Rupert Cornwell was then the first Moscow correspondent of The Independent, from its launch in 1986. During this time, he won two British Press Awards. Later in his career, Cornwell served as the Chief US Commentator at The Independent newspaper.
His book 'God's Banker', about Roberto Calvi, an Italian banker found hanging from Blackfriars Bridge, was published in 1983.
This story was written by Dr Paul Lashmar, The Head of City’s Department of Journalism.
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