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)
Persefoni Tzanaki, 'Reading Feelings: Can reading fiction enhance empathy and prosocial behavior in children?'
Seyi Ugochukwu, 'Undocumented Immigrants: Unseen, Unheard, Illegal?'
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
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?