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
The Emerging Researcher Image competition offers a visual perspective on Sussex’s current postgraduate and early career research, building our interdisciplinary community.
How does it work?
The competition will be open for entries on Wednesday 1 April and will close 12 noon on Wednesday 13 May. Read the rules and guidelines below carefully before you enter, paying particular attention to the requirements around image resolution, copyright and identifiable subjects.
Depending on the number of entries received, we may need to shortlist a selection to go forward to the exhibition and voting. Shortlisting will be based on the competition criteria.
Shortlisted entries will be displayed in an online gallery here and exhibited during the Summer of Research at various locations around campus.
There are now 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. Winners will be announced at the prize-giving following the Three Minute Thesis final on Friday 26 June.
In need of inspiration? Check out last year’s entries in the gallery at the bottom of this page and take a look at past PGR events and past ECR events for previous winners. We can’t wait to see what you submit!
2026 Prizes
PGR Winner: £200 towards your research
ECR Winner: £200 towards your research
People’s Choice (one prize): £100 towards your research
The 2026 judges will be Susanna Broom, Head of the Sussex Researcher School, Stuart Robinson, University Photographer and Maggie Symes.
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?
Rules and guidelines
The following are the rules and guidelines for the competition.
Copyright
The University of Sussex retains the right to use all submitted images – including those not chosen to win prizes – in promotional materials without further permission from, or compensation to, the photographer. The use of images may also extend to online galleries. Credit will be given to the photographer if reproduced. The photographer will retain copyright.
Identifiable persons in photographs
It is the responsibility of the photographer to secure permission from any identifiable persons in their photograph. The University of Sussex shall not be liable in any way for a submission.
AI statement
This competition welcomes research images created in any medium, including those generated or enhanced using Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools. To ensure transparency and integrity, entrants must clearly indicate if AI has been used in the creation or modification of their image. A brief justification should be provided via the application form, explaining the purpose and relevance of AI in the research context. This information will be considered as part of the judging process but will not in itself disadvantage the submission.
Last year’s competition
Read about last year’s competition.
2025 Winners
- ECR Winner: Persefoni Tzanaki (Psychology)
- PGR Winner: Seyi Ugochukwu (Law, Politics and Sociology)
- People's Choice: Hanna Eldarwish (Psychology)
'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 3.55MB].