Recipients of the 2025 WiJS x JRF bursary programme announced

Clockwise, from top left: Emma Newlands, Erin Rizzato Devlin, Devon McCole, Amanda Crawford and Claire Prentice

Women in Journalism Scotland (WiJS) and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation have announced the recipients of the 2025 WiJS x JRF bursary programme.

Five women journalists have been chosen by a panel of judges to receive £1,500 to develop a project shining a light on economic and / or social inequalities around Scotland.

The funding will support the successful applicants over the remainder of 2025 as they work up their projects from an idea stage to a developed pitch ready to be taken to a publication, or launched independently, by the end of the year.

The successful journalists are: Amanda Crawford, Claire Prentice, Devon McCole, Emma Newlands and Erin Rizzato Devlin.

Amanda intends to investigate a medical issue in Scotland, building on a recent story she exclusively broke for print in which a 17-year-old girl died waiting for appointments.

Claire will explore the growing social phenomenon of hikikomori - extreme social isolation and withdrawal among adolescents and young adults and look at the innovative treatment programmes being devised to help extremely withdrawn individuals and their families.

Devon will reflect on social deprivation in Castlemilk, tracing how a Glasgow scheme with a radical past has only become increasingly marginalised.

Emma is focusing on costly bank charges, and examining how lenders are getting away with the legitimised highway robbery of vulnerable customers.

Erin will investigate the relationship between global, national and local dimensions of renewable energy in Scotland.

Part of the bursary programme involves working with an established woman journalist who will provide support for each applicant’s project. 

Providing mentoring for the programme this year will be Catriona MacPhee, Halina Rifai, Anna Burnside, Erikka Askeland and Karin Goodwin.

This opportunity was aimed at early to mid-career freelance women journalists who believe they still have room to grow in their careers. Applicants must also have experienced economic inequality at some stage in their lives.

Anna Burnside, co-chair of Women in Journalism Scotland, said: “We are so excited to support this amazing range of women as they pursue original, in depth journalism. I can’t wait to see what they all produce.”

Chris Birt, director at the JRF, said: “Once again this bursary is allowing women journalists to shine a light on the inequities and hardships that so many people face in Scotland today.  In a rapidly changing world, journalism is crucial to bring people's stories, struggles and campaigns to life and I'm sure this year's successful journalists will do that brilliantly."