Hand holding mobile phone lining up to take a photograph of fireworks

The Research and Knowledge Exchange workstream group is pleased to announce the online Research Photo competition for 2025.

This competition will recognise and reward the quality and diversity of research being conducted across the University of Brighton and asks entrants to capture an image that represents an aspect of their research.

Photos will be exhibited online prior to the Research and Knowledge Exchange Week (31 March – 3 April 2025). Members of the university will be able to vote for the People’s Prize online – all photos entered will be eligible for this prize in addition to the Staff and Postgraduate Research Student category prizes.

Winners will be announced at the Showcase Event taking place on Thursday 3 April 2025 in the Sallis Benney Theatre at Grand Parade.

Please see terms and conditions below and note that entrants are not permitted to canvas for votes.

Eligibility

Photographs are welcome from postgraduate research students* and research active staff across the university and may be submitted by individuals only. Only one entry per person is permitted.

* PGRs whose degree has not been or will not be conferred by 03 April 2025 (if in doubt, contact the Doctoral College’s Exams Officer, Dave Woods, on Doctoral-College-Exams-Officer@brighton.ac.uk).

Submission requirements

Applicants are invited to submit a single photograph (no composite, multiple or collage images) which captures an aspect of their research. The photograph should be accompanied by a title and 150-word (max) description. Colour or black and white images are permitted.

Photo specification

  • maximum file size 8MB (image will be compressed when displayed online)
  • image size at least 1200px on the longest edge
  • any width/height dimension is acceptable but please bear in mind that unusual shapes, eg long, panoramic-type shots may not display well in a thumbnail gallery
  • colour or black and white

Submission details

  • the title of your photograph: this should be short and dynamic.
  • a short description (150 words maximum) of your photograph and the research it portrays. This should be written for non-subject specialists. This description will accompany the displayed photo and may be used for publicity purposes

Judging criteria

The Staff and Postgraduate Research Student prizes will be assessed according to two criteria which are equally weighted. Entries must therefore equally address both the following:

  • Photo composition – visual presentation and communication of ideas.
  • Short description – the quality of the research described in the photo and how easily this can be understood by non-subject specialists.

Prizes

There will be three categories for judging and prizes for research-related expenses as follows:

  • Postgraduate Research Student prize: £150
  • Staff prize: £150
  • People’s Prize: £100

How to enter

Complete the entry form for the Research Photo Competition by clicking on the ENTER COMPETITION NOW link below. You will be asked to provide personal and submission details and upload a digital file (jpeg or png preferred) of your research photograph.

Please note we will not be able to accept entries which are not in the specified formats.

The deadline for entries is Thursday 20 March 2025 at 12pm (midday). Applications will not be accepted after this deadline.

Enter the competition now

Terms and conditions

  • Images and research must be the original work of the entrant.
  • Entries that do not conform to the specifications will be rejected.
  • Entrants are not permitted to canvas for votes eg via ‘vote for me’ campaigns. Anyone found doing so will be removed from the competition.
  • By submitting a photograph to the competition, the owner allows it to be used without charge in publicity associated with the University of Brighton eg to display within the university or feature in university publications, websites etc.
  • Images must relate to research within or strongly associated with the University of Brighton.
  • Each entrant is responsible for ensuring that the image they submit has been taken with permission of the subject and does not infringe the copyright of any third party or any laws.
  • No nudes or portrayals of illegal activities. Submissions that, in the sole discretion of the organisers, are considered inappropriate or unsuitable for publication will be deemed ineligible and removed from the competition.
  • Submitted images should not have previously won another photographic competition.
  • No responsibility can be accepted for lost entries.

For any queries relating to the Research Photo competition, please email DoctoralCollegeFestival@brighton.ac.uk.

We look forward to receiving your images. Good luck!