A journalism lecturer has been awarded for her work in raising awareness of the issues facing people in developing countries.

Angela Robson, who lectures at Sheffield Hallam University, was awarded the 2011 Guardian International Development Journalism prize for her feature ‘Haiti: A Search for Sanctuary’ about rape and the impact it has on women and children.

The awards, which recognise the work of professional and amateur writers in the field of the developing world, were judged by well-known journalists Jon Snow and Natasha Kaplinsky.

They are given to journalists for their outstanding reporting on human rights, democracy and development issues.

Angela, who is also studying for a masters degree at Sheffield Hallam, said: “It’s an honour to have won this award and I’m absolutely delighted.

“Most of all because the article gives voice to a courageous group of Haitian women and men who are speaking out about an epidemic of sexual violence.”

Angela has covered stories on the civil war in Sierra Leone, the Rwandan genocide and the destruction of the rain forest in Ghana. She has recently returned from reporting trips to Liberia, Lesotho and Tajikistan.

She is also an award winning broadcaster and in April 2010 set up the Sheffield based independent media company, Pearl Works Productions, coinciding with the BBC’s move to Salford.

Said Angela: “The BBC’s move to Salford has been a great way to stimulate creativity across the north and recognise talent. As a new company based in the north, we are in a strong position to tap into this and profile exciting projects that are happening here.”

She has trips to Lesotho and Ethiopia planned in the next three months to focus on international development and human rights.