HDA Media Training Workshop 2025 - OPEN CALL!

We are holding our annual media training workshop with Mike Smithson from 7 NEWS. It will be delivered to our HDA Scholars and HDA PhD student members who are in their second, third or final year.

The object of the workshop is to instruct on :::: key message delivery :::: the psychology of controlling an audience :::: handling difficult interviews :::: how to make answers water tight :::: confident public presentation and controlling your audience :::: the importance of social media

THE COURSE This course covers the latest interviewing techniques and styles for application in television news and current affairs, as well as radio and newspapers. Mike has been involved in on-air television for the past 40 years, and is the most experienced “hands-on” journalist in Adelaide currently conducting presentation training courses. The course is designed to give participants the ability to tackle any media interview under almost any circumstance. Public speaking confidence and presentation skills are crucial to winning over any audience. Correct use of social media is also critical.

THE THEORY The initial part of the course is explaining what the media looks for when putting a story or radio talk show together. Mike will give a good insight into how media organisations operate and why journalists are persistent. The theory also explains how stories are constructed and how the interviewee fits into the final product. Mike will explain how to establish a key message, how to get it across and understood, and most importantly how to get it used in the final product. In the latter part, Mike will also show how to handle difficult interviews and how to make answers watertight.

MIKE SMITHSON: Mike Smithson is News Presenter and Chief Reporter at Channel 7 Adelaide. He has more than four decades experience in newspaper and television news gathering in Adelaide and internationally, being the Network’s European correspondent for two and a half years. Mike was chief political reporter for 25 years, where he earned the SA Journalist of the Year award, before turning his attention to full-time news presenting. He was also a longstanding member of the University of Adelaide Media Advisory Board and has been President of the SA Press Club for the past three years. Over his journalistic journey, he’s been a weekly radio commentator on ABC Adelaide and FIVEaa and a columnist with the Advertiser, Sunday Mail and InDaily.

Eligibility:  Open to our HDA second, third or final year PhD students undertaking their study in a South Australian University  Open to paid members only. Membership is $30 (excluding GST) for 1 year or $60 (excluding GST) for 3 years https://health.adelaide.edu.au/healthy-development-adelaide/get-involved

Applicants should submit the following:  1/2 page document outlining what year of your PhD you are in, your project focus and what upcoming research you have that you may want to promote to the media and/or benefit you would like to achieve from this workshop.  Proof of PhD commencement date.  Project title, supervisory team and a photo (headshot).

Applications will close at 5.00pm Thursday 24 April 2025. Late applications will not be considered.

Enquires and/or submit applications to anne.jurisevic@adelaide.edu.au Spaces will be limited.

The workshop will be held ‘in person’ only on Tuesday 13 May, 2.30-4.30pm.