Early bird photographers may wish to get involved in a project which captures the world when most are asleep.

Birmingham-based photographer Karen Strunks is calling on snappers to set their alarms and shoot the world around them at 4am on 4 April.

It will also mark the 4am Project’s first birthday which Karen was inspired to start after driving through the Second City in the early hours.

More details about the project along with some 4am images can be found at 4amproject.org.

A benefit event is being held in London as part of the ‘Libel Reform Campaign’.

Writers, comedians and scientists will all be involved in the gig on 14 March at 7.30pm at the Palace Theatre.

Among the performers are Tim Minchin, Dara Ó Briain and Marcus Brigstocke.

The campaign was launched last year to fight for reforms of English libel laws. For more details visit libelreform.org.

The Periodical Publishers Association is hosting its annual conference on 29 April in London.

Among the confirmed speakers are editor of Top Gear magazine Conor McNicholas, Peter Bale from Microsoft UK and Tim Brooks, managing director of Guardian News and Media.

This year’s event will focus on social media for marketing, developing products and tablet technology. Visit the conference website for full details.

The Coventry branch of the National Union of Journalists is running two training events next month.

On 10 March the branch’s AGM will feature guest speaker Tim Dawson on ‘New Ways to Make Journalism Pay’ at Birmingham Voluntary Services Centre, 64 Digbeth, Birmingham.

And on 20 March Paul Lewis will run a free investigative journalism workshop aimed at younger journalists at the home of BBC Coventry and Warwickshire Radio, in Priory Place, Coventry.

Places are limited so email [email protected] to register an interest.

The deadline is fast approaching for journalism students to apply for a bursary scheme run by the Scott Trust, owners of the Guardian.

There are eight grants on offer for courses in web, print and broadcast journalism at named colleges around the country.

The aim of the bursaries is to assist students facing financial difficulties in attaining qualifications needed to pursue a career in the media.

Deadline for applications is 1 March – for full details visit the Scott Trust website.