The Beatrice Davis Editorial Fellowship (BDEF) provides a unique opportunity for a senior Australian editor to develop knowledge and expertise through a research project, and share the findings with peers and the wider industry.

 

Beatrice Davis AM, MBE was Australia's first full-time book editor
Beatrice Davis AM, MBE, was Australia's first full-time book editor

The Fellowship is named after the distinguished literary editor, Beatrice Davis, and honours her contribution to Australian publishing. The Fellowship has been awarded biennially since 1998.

The BDEF involves the Fellow undertaking interviews and other research activity in an overseas market. A research report is then produced and promoted through workshops and presentations, sharing this knowledge and sparking conversation across the industry.

Find details of past fellows below, the latest news on the fellowship, along with the published research where available. 

Latest news on the 2023 Beatrice Davis Editorial Fellowship:

Image Beatrice Davis Fellow hits New York 10 Oct 23 2023 Beatrice Davis Editorial Fellow Sophie Splatt shares her experience visiting New York to research graphic novels in the US. Read
Image Beatrice Davis Fellow on Comic-Con International 12 Sep 23 2023 Beatrice Davis Editorial Fellow Sophie Splatt shares her experience attending San Diego Comic-Con as part of her research into graphic novels in the US. Read
Image Beatrice Davis Fellow Sophie Splatt heads to the US 18 Jul 23 Sophie Splatt heads to the United States to research graphic novels and learn how the Australian publishing industry can ‘better capitalise on this fast-growing category’. Read

 

 

 

What past Fellows say about the BDEF program

Past fellows

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1998/99 – Erica Irving (Wagner), Duffy & Snellgrove

Report title: 'Editorial and publishing in New York: a general overview'

1997 – Bernadette Foley, Pan Macmillan

Report title: 'Editorial Training'

Bernadette gave a talk to the NSW Society of Editors about her Fellowship. Download the transcript here.

1996 – Bryony Cosgrove, Penguin

Report title: 'The invisible profession: What is an editor?'

1995 – Jacqueline Kent, Freelance editor

Report title: 'Young adult publishing and multimedia; editorial processes'

1994 – Sue Hines, Allen & Unwin

Report title: 'Publishing differences between US and Australia'

1992/93 – Rosanne Fitzgibbon, University of Queensland Press
Report title: 'Comparative editorial practices'