My journalism has been recognised at both regional and national awards ceremonies throughout my career. As well as noting my writing skills and efforts in sourcing important stories, judges have highlighted my work in helping make the journalism industry more accessible to young people and LGBTQ+ people.
I have also since become a judge myself, joining the panel for the Kent Press and Broadcast Awards in 2022. Local media is still close to my heart, and I believe it is important to support and celebrate it. I helped launch the new Kent Voices award, which praises diversity, as part of the awards ceremony.
I was named on the Attitude Magazine 101 list in 2024 for my work as an ‘LGBTQ+ trailblazer’. The list is intended to shine a spotlight on those in the community who are making a difference, in categories ranging from media to sport. Celebrities including Graham Norton, Andrew Scott and Ncuti Gatwa were also chosen.
Specialising in LGBTQ+ reporting, I’ve worked tirelessly for queer representation and voices in the media, and have been involved in talks and panels for Pride month.
Kent Young Journalist of the Year
I was named the Kent Young Journalist of the Year in 2018 for producing a multimedia project looking at 100 years of women’s suffrage in the local area, and for producing a video diary while living on £1 a day to raise awareness of a foodbank.
30 To Watch: Young Journalist Award
I was chosen as one of MHPC’s 30 top journalists from across the UK to watch under the age of 30 – in the news category in 2018 – for my use of social media to source stories, my feature writing and my long commitment to a journalism career.
Print Futures Award
I was given a grant from the Printing Charity towards my work for the Kettle and Llama magazines – publications that give young people bylines and help them develop their writing skills. I was presented this award for rising stars at the House of Lords in 2019.
I was shortlisted at the Digital Women Awards 2021 under the ‘digital women for good’ category for my work supporting young journalists. I also won the Best Use of Social Media Award at the Kent Press and Broadcast Awards in 2018, was highly commended for the Multimedia Story of the Year Award at the NCTJ Awards in 2017, and won the Outstanding Commitment Award at Warwick Students’ Union in 2015 for my student newspaper work.
“Sian’s commitment to a career in journalism goes back to her school and university days – she helped organise the annual conference for student journalists. She was highly commended at the NCTJ awards and the 30 To Watch judges were particularly impressed by her use of social media to source stories in her patch and a fantastic feature piece in which she tried to live for a week on £5 worth of food.”
– Comments from the judges of the 30 To Watch: Young Journalist Award
I even have fun at work, can you believe it? I’m never afraid to take on a (potentially embarrassing) challenge. I feel privileged to experience the rollercoaster of reporting on what’s happening in everyday life – and see things many others don’t have the chance to – but to also be able to enjoy myself along the way.
Sian Elvin 