Age/SMH seeks ‘greater diversity of applicants’ for book critic roles

The Nine-owned Age and Sydney Morning Herald (SMH) newspapers will reopen applications for two book critics, following the resignation of Jack Callil and Bec Kavanagh.

Kavanagh and Callil jointly resigned from their roles due to the lack of diversity of applicants chosen as ‘emerging culture critics’ by the newspapers as part of an initiative funded by Copyright Agency and the Judith Neilson Institute for Journalism and Ideas.

‘We accept the reasons why Jack Callil and Bec Kavanagh have decided to resign,’ said Monique Farmer, Life editor at the Age/SMH. ‘We are reopening applications for the two freelance book critic roles, considering the previous applicants as well as seeking to ensure the roles are posted more widely to encourage a greater diversity of applicants. The successful applicants will need to have expertise as literary critics and strong writing skills.’

Kavanagh and Callil’s resignation is effective as of the end of July.

Category: Local news