Two Fairmont State faculty serve as judges for the prestigious Signal Awards

Assistant Professor of Geography Dr. Barb Maclennan and Director of Institutional Effectiveness and Geography faculty, Frank Lafone were selected as judges for this year’s Signal Awards, widely recognized as the Webby Awards of podcasting. Both Maclennan and Lafone, along with geographers Jesse Rouse and Sue Bergeron, co-host the podcast VerySpatial, which explores the intersection of geography and geospatial technologies with our everyday and digital lives. 

“It is a great honor to be invited to judge the Signal Awards,” said Maclennan. “Geography is called an art and a science, and you can hear spatial geography embedded in the creative ways podcasts shape culture. Think about a topic you could talk about for an hour to a friend in great detail, and there are people out there who will love that topic too.” 

The Signal Awards celebrate the most impactful, innovative, and groundbreaking audio projects being produced today. Now in its third year, the awards invite a select panel of podcasting experts to judge submissions across categories like Best Innovative Audio Experience, Best TV & Film Recap, Shows, Limited Series & Specials, Individual Episodes, and Branded Shows & Advertising. 

“VerySpatial has been lucky to be at the forefront of podcasting since 2005. It seems natural to me that the Signal Awards would reach out to a podcast that has been there and seen the history of podcasting and experienced all its stages,” said Lafone “I am honored to be a judge and also excited to apply my years of experience in podcasting to the Signal Awards.” 

Judges are chosen for their extensive experience in podcasting. With nearly two decades of experience producing VerySpatial, Lafone and Maclennan bring significant expertise to the judging process. They will evaluate entries based on criteria including concept, content and writing, creativity and innovation, quality of craft, engagement and listenership, and overall podcast experience. 

"In every classroom and beyond, our faculty embody a remarkable blend of academic excellence and real-world expertise,” said Provost Dianna Phillips. “With a legacy of nearly twenty years in podcasting, Dr. Barb Maclennan and Frank Lafone not only enhance our understanding of geography but also elevate the art of storytelling in the digital age. Their selection as judges for the Signal Awards is a testament to their innovative spirit and commitment to engaging with our ever-evolving world." 

Award winners are selected by members of the Signal Awards Judging Academy from the best work entered through the Call for Entries. Each submission undergoes a rigorous evaluation process, where it is independently reviewed and scored by multiple judges. The top-rated entries are placed on category-specific shortlists and further assessed. Finalists can be awarded Gold, Silver, or Bronze Signal Awards and are also eligible for the Listener’s Choice Award. Depending on scoring thresholds, some categories may have multiple gold, silver, or bronze winners, while others may have none. 

Signal Awards winners can be viewed by visiting https://www.signalaward.com/winners. 

To learn more about the VerySpatial podcast, visit https://veryspatial.com.