A new bursary scheme has been launched in memory of the late BBC presenter Nick Sheridan, who tragically passed away at the young age of 32. Nick Sheridan, known for presenting BBC Scotland news programmes such as Drivetime, The Nine, and Seven Days, collapsed while out running after a short illness in March. In honour of his legacy, organizations he was associated with in Scotland, including BBC Scotland, STV, and the University of the West of Scotland (UWS), have come together to establish the Nick Sheridan Memorial Bursary.
The bursary will be awarded to a final year student studying either the BA (Hons) Television, Radio & Podcast Production course or BA (Hons) Journalism/Sport Journalism course at UWS. BBC Scotland Director Hayley Valentine expressed her delight in announcing the bursary, highlighting Nick’s significant impact on the newsroom and his considerable talent. The first recipient of the Nick Sheridan Memorial Bursary is set to be selected by UWS for the upcoming academic year in autumn 2025, receiving £1,500 along with a week of paid work experience at both BBC Scotland and STV post-graduation.
Linda Grimes Douglas, Head of News and Current Affairs at STV, praised Nick’s skills as a broadcaster and journalist, underscoring the pleasure of partnering with BBC Scotland and UWS to support new talent in the industry through the bursary. Apart from his successful journalism career, Nick also dedicated his time teaching at UWS and was passionate about nurturing future talent in the broadcast field. Professor Dr. Kasim N. Sheikh, Dean of the School of Business & Creative Industries at UWS, acknowledged Nick’s positive impact on students and welcomed the opportunity for the bursary to foster the next generation of media professionals.
Nick’s brother, Brian, expressed his gratitude for the collaborative effort of BBC, STV, and UWS in creating the bursary, emphasising Nick’s dedication to mentoring aspiring journalists. The Nick Sheridan Memorial Bursary stands as a tribute to Nick’s legacy and commitment to supporting young talents in the media industry. Through this initiative, Nick’s memory will live on as a source of inspiration for future generations of journalists and broadcasters.
In a heartwarming tribute to a talented journalist taken too soon, the Nick Sheridan Memorial Bursary will continue to impact budding media professionals, ensuring Nick’s passion for journalism lives on.