Memorial bursary set up in memory of ‘impeccable’ BBC journalist and UWS lecturer

A memorial bursary has been launched in memory of a journalist and University of the West of Scotland lecturer who died last year.

Nick Sheridan worked for BBC Scotland, as well as lecturing in journalism at UWS. He was 32 when he died in March 2024 from a brain aneurysm.

Now, BBC, STV, and UWS have partnered in the creation of the Nick Sheridan Memorial Bursary Scheme, offering students valuable journalism experience after graduation

Join me this morning for your latest news headlines from @BBCScotlandNews ☕️ pic.twitter.com/dllWaSbXpa

— Nick Sheridan (@nick_sheridan) September 11, 2023

Students of BA (Hons) television, radio and podcast production or BA (Hons) journalism/sport journalism at UWS can apply, with the scheme starting in the 2025 academic year. Based on their coursework in third year, the successful final-year student will receive £1,500 alongside a week of paid work at BBC Scotland and STV following their graduation.

The scheme will be funded and overseen by his previous employers the BBC and STV, alongside UWS.

On launching the bursary, the director of BBC Scotland, Hayley Valentine, said: “It is a fitting tribute, and I hope it helps students capable of matching Nick’s considerable talent realise that potential. I look forward to meeting the first recipient of the Nick Sheridan Memorial Bursary later this year.”

Nick, originally from Wexford, Ireland, began his career at NewsTalk. He then worked at RTÉ and STV before joining BBC Scotland in 2018. There, he hosted programmes such as Drivetime and Reporting Scotland while lecturing part-time at the University of the West of Scotland.

With you this afternoon and this evening for your latest headlines on BBC One Scotland. pic.twitter.com/cAXWrfwiHY

— Nick Sheridan (@nick_sheridan) December 10, 2023

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Following his death after a brief medically induced coma, former First Minister Humza Yousaf described him as an “extremely talented journalist and author” after a minute silence was held for him in the Scottish Parliament.

Linda Grimes of STV also honoured Nick’s memory: “Nick was a highly skilled broadcaster and an impeccable journalist with a natural flair for storytelling.”

On behalf of the Sheridan family, Nick’s brother Brian said:  “We are humbled and truly grateful to the BBC, STV and the University of the West of Scotland for coming together to develop this bursary in Nick’s name, of which he would be so proud.”

“Nick was hugely passionate about developing the talents of future journalists and this bursary offers a wonderful opportunity for a young person to honour this passion for media in his name.”

Featured image via X and Google Maps