The ABC TOP 5: 2022 Media Residencies

Are you a dynamic early-career PhD scholars or Arts practitioner, with a flair and passion for communicating your work to a non-academic audience?

The ABC TOP 5 aims to develop the communication skills and media awareness of Australia’s emerging thinkers — helping researchers share their knowledge and expertise with audiences who are seeking credible information and informed debate.

The successful applicants will spend two weeks 'in residence' at ABC Radio National, working alongside some of the country's best journalists and broadcasters — training in media communication and developing content for different ABC platforms. In addition to audio, they will also get the opportunity to engage with our teams across the ABC including in TV and digital. 

ABC TOP 5 PROJECT PARTNERS

There are three TOP 5 media residencies, and they are presented with the support of our project partners:

  • TOP 5 Arts: supported by the University of Melbourne & the Australia Council for the Arts.
  • TOP 5 Humanities: supported by the University of Sydney.
  • TOP 5 Science: supported by the 'Australian National Centre for Public Awareness of Science' at Australian National University.

APPLY NOW

Be a part of this unique and exciting opportunity and become a better communicator.

Applications for the three 2022 media residencies are now open.

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  • Applications close Tuesday 31st May 2022. *
  • All times are Australian Eastern Standard Time.
  • Applications will be via Submittable and you will need to register and then fill out the application form.
  • The application will include a short, face to camera self-made video (two-minute max), in which you are asked to introduce yourself, summarise your work/research and explain what's exciting about it and why it would be of interest to a broader audience.

*All times and dates are subject to change at the ABC's discretion.

Can I apply more than once?

  • Entrants can enter the TOP 5 Residency Competition once per residency per calendar year and this entry is subject to the entry conditions.
  • Applicants can enter for more than one residency if their research crosses over in specialization and meets the requirements of the different categories.

  • Previously non-successful applicants are encouraged to reapply, as the process is very competitive, and you may have just missed out.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

ABC TOP 5 applications are judged on excellence. However, in line with the ABC’s focus on diversity, applications are strongly encouraged from Indigenous Australians, people from a range of cultural and linguistic backgrounds, people with disability and LGBTIQ+ individuals.

The ABC also aims to achieve a gender-balance and encourages applications from people outside the major cities. In addition, ABC will provide reasonable adjustments for qualified individuals with disabilities and assistance with childcare where possible.

PLEASE NOTE:

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, for the past two years the ABC TOP 5 has been presented virtually. However, it’s the ABC’s intention that in 2022 the media residencies will have a face-to-face component on site at the ABC studios.

TOP 5 HUMANITIES

Presented in partnership with the University of Sydney, the ABC TOP 5 Humanities is open to PhD-qualified early career researchers across the humanities and social sciences (HASS), currently working for an Australian university or research organisation.

The scheme aims to equip emerging HASS scholars with the media & communication skills - to better share their ideas and specialist knowledge widely through expert commentary and analysis.

Refer to the online application form for full details of the entry criteria and T&C's.

TOP 5 SCIENCE

Presented in partnership with the Australian National Centre for Public Awareness of Science at the Australian National University (ANU), the ABC TOP 5 Science is for early-career university researchers in science, technology, engineering, maths and medical research (STEMM), currently working for an Australian university or research organisation.

The scheme aims to equip emerging STEM scholars with the media and communication skills - to better share their ideas and specialist knowledge widely through expert commentary and analysis.

Refer to the online application for full details of the entry criteria and T&C's.

TOP 5 ARTS

Presented in partnership with the University of Melbourne and the Australia Council for the Arts, the ABC TOP 5 Arts is open to early-career PhD researchers working for an Australian university or research organisation, and early career arts practitioners with a graduate qualification.

The scheme aims to equip emerging ARTS scholars with the media & communication skills — to better share their ideas and specialist knowledge widely through expert commentary and analysis.

Refer to the online application for full details of the entry criteria and T&C's.