Regional editors will host debates on topics including mental health in newsrooms and online abuse as part of this year’s Society of Editors Conference.

The SoE has begun to announce the speakers for its five-week virtual conference, which will be made up of a series of free events throughout November and December.

Confirmed debates so far include ‘Mental Health in the Newsroom’, which will be chaired by SoE president Alison Gow, pictured, who is also audience and content director for Reach plc in the North-West.

Reach Midlands and Wales marketplace publisher Marc Reeves will run a session entitled ‘Lockdown lessons from Leicester and beyond’, while Ceri Gould, the publisher’s editorial revenue director, will host an event called ‘The size of Wales’.

Joy Yates, interim editorial director for JPIMedia Scotland, will chair a debate about online abuse, while a session on Scotland will be run by Donald Martin, Newsquest’s editor-in-chief in the country.

Sunday Life editor Martin Breen will chair a discussion on Northern Ireland.

Other confirmed debates include ‘Diversity in the News Media’, to be chaired by PA Media managing director Polly Curtis, and ‘State of Training’, which will be hosted in conjunction with the NCTJ.

Keynote talks will also be delivered by BBC News editorial director Kamal Ahmed, ITV News editor Rachel Corp and Lord Burnett of Maldon, the Lord Chief Justice.

SoE executive director Ian Murray said: “Over the past 20 years the Society’s annual conference has set the agenda by getting to grips with issues at the heart of the media.

“I’m delighted that some of the strongest voices in the industry will be joining us virtually to give their thoughts on the future and challenges facing the UK press as we come to the end of an unprecedented year for news.”

Information on all of the events announced so far can be found here.