Sussex Researcher School

Image competition

Get a glimpse into the world of brilliant, diverse postgraduate and early career research at the University of Sussex

The Emerging Researcher Image Competition offers a visual perspective on Sussex's current postgraduate and early career research, building our interdisciplinary community.

There are two prizes - one for PGRs and one for ECRs - as well as the People's Choice award that is voted for by Sussex students and staff. The 2025 judges were Susanna Broom, Head of the Sussex Researcher School, and Stuart Robinson, University Photographer. 

Shortlisted entries are on display in the Library Cafe throughout June and July, and appeared at various events during the Summer of Research. Winners were announced following the Three Minute Thesis final on Friday 20 June. 


2025 Winners

  • ECR Winner: Persefoni Tzanaki (Psychology)
  • PGR Winner: Seyi Ugochukwu (Law, Politics and Sociology)
  • People's Choice: Hanna Eldarwish (Psychology)

 Hand holding a open children's book which has emoji stickers on it. Location is outside the Sussex Meeting House grassy area with trees.

Persefoni Tzanaki, 'Reading Feelings: Can reading fiction enhance empathy and prosocial behavior in children?'

Image created using generative Ai depicting protesters. Protester holding large sign saying 'No Human Is Illegal'.

Seyi Ugochukwu, 'Undocumented Immigrants: Unseen, Unheard, Illegal?'

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Person standing on Brighton beach with the West pier behind them. The person's head has been removed from the photo.

Hanna Eldarwish, 'The Incoherent Spirit'

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Emerging Researcher Image Shortlist 2025

For the best viewing experience, open the Sway in full screen. The accessibility view provides a high-contrast design and screen reader access.
View entries in pdf: Emerging Researchers Image Competition 2025.pdf [PDF 3.55MB]

 

 

 


2025 Prizes

PGR Winner: £200 towards your research 

ECR Winner: £200 towards your research

People’s Choice (one prize): £100 towards your research
  

Judging criteria

Judges assessed the images according to the following criteria:

Image

  • Is the image eye-catching and engaging?
  • Does the image effectively communicate the nature of the research?
  • Is the image of sufficient technical quality?

Title and caption

  • Is the title engaging?
  • Is the caption written in a style that is accessible to a non-specialist audience?
  • Do the image, title and caption work together to form a coherent and clear narrative?

Sussex Researcher School

E: researcher-school@sussex.ac.uk