Polly Nash picked up a coveted trophy last night at an awards ceremony, shining a light on up-and-coming journalists held in Soho, London, by the British Society of Magazine Editors (BSME). The event was co-hosted by broadcaster and author Angela Scanlon, with the awards’ judging panel comprising prominent magazine journalists from across the industry.
With other winners including journalists from major magazine brands including Which? magazine, British GQ, and GLAMOUR UK, the BSME New Talent Awards judges chose to name Polly as the best writer in the specialist business-to-business category, among stiff competition.
“Polly demonstrates exceptional research skills and a deep understanding of the subject matter, which she effectively translates for readers,” the judges said. “Her work has had an impact on policy, underscoring its relevancy and influence. Her writing style is informative, authoritative and effortlessly engaging.”
They commended her stories revealing the UK government’s plans to overhaul English language testing and those drawing attention to controversial North American immigration policies affecting thousands of international students, which government officials were forced to walk back as a result.
Her work has had an impact on policy, underscoring its relevancy and influence
BSME judges
Just weeks after Polly’s story on a policy manual update that restricted F-1 visa holders’ study abroad to five months, the US government has reversed the decision.
And her story on a new Canadian policy ending ‘grandfathering’, meaning international students wanting to change their course once they reached Canada would no longer be eligible for a raft of post-graduation work rights, helped pressure officials into U-turning on the decision.
The PIE’s editor Beth Kennedy said the team was “enormously proud” that the impact of Polly’s work has been recognised with such an eminent award.
“The international education sector knows it can count on Polly to bring them timely, knowledgeable and impactful news and analysis – but it is wonderful to see that her talent for journalism has been recognised by a panel of experts in their craft,” she said.
“Polly’s work shows that journalism can be a powerful force for change, and we look forward to seeing what she does next in her mission to empower and stand up for the international education sector. Well done Polly.”
