Four students from two Australian universities have made the shortlist for the 2025 Institute of Professional Editors (IPEd) Student Prize.
The shortlisted students are:
- Portia Abbott, a Master of Writing and Publishing student at RMIT University, for her essay “One book (doesn’t) fit all: Suggestions for more dyslexia-friendly print books”. Portia’s essay was an industry report on what makes print text more readable for those with dyslexia, with recommendations for readability. The analysis was engaging, specific, comprehensive, well researched and convincing, with practical suggestions on how publishers can close the gap towards more accessible text.
- Jessica Connell-Gunter, a Bachelor of Arts, Writing and Editing student at Curtin University, for her structural editing letter to the author of a fiction manuscript. The letter was personable, with specific and encouraging feedback that offered practical suggestions about areas of improvement. One aspect of the assignment was explaining how you as an editor would go about a structural edit when the author’s background and story were different from the editor’s cultural background and story experience, as was the case with this assignment. The letter addressed these cultural elements in a respectful, sensitive and practical way.
- Josephine Parker, a Master of Arts (Professional Writing and Publishing) student at Curtin University, for her editorial letter to the author of a fiction manuscript. The letter was well written and interesting, with a clear hook from the onset in a personable and relatable way. The feedback on how you as an editor would go about a structural edit when the author’s background and story were different from the editor’s cultural background and story experience, as was the case with this assignment, was thorough, intelligent, sensitive and insightful.
- Victoria Zhang, a Master of Writing and Publishing student at RMIT University, for her essay “Why manga can fill the demand for LGBTQIA+ representation for young Australian readers”. Victoria’s essay was an industry report on concurrent trends of LGBTQIA+ YA fiction and manga. It was an original approach to a strong and relevant topic, with thorough investigation of a fascinating subculture. The essay was well researched and written in a sophisticated academic but readable style, and offered insight on the power of literature to engage with difference.
The IPEd Student Prize is awarded annually and recognises excellent work by a student of editing.
The judging panel noted that this year’s prize received a mixture of entries from both Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, including essays, editing reports, copyediting, proofreading, and structural edits. They said the four shortlisted entries displayed an excellent level of professionalism, competence and understanding of the profession, as well as meeting the assessment criteria set for their individual courses.
Stephane Holt AE, Chair of the IPEd Board said: “It’s always exciting to see the shortlist emerge from the IPEd prize, which goes from strength to strength as an indicator of the editing talent emerging from our universities. This year’s shortlisted assignments highlight the diversity of readers and writers for whom aspiring editors will work. Also evident is the commitment of their teachers to providing thought-provoking challenges for student editors, nurturing practical skills and sensitivities within a broader context.”
The winning entry will be announced in February.
About the IPEd Student Prize
The IPEd Student Prize acknowledges excellent work by a student of editing. It is designed to enhance the profession of editing and support student work on issues relevant to the industry.
It is awarded annually for a piece of work submitted as part of a tertiary qualification in editing, publishing, or another discipline with a focus on editing.
The prize is open to any tertiary-level student enrolled in an editing or publishing course at a New Zealand or Australian tertiary institution.