Images of Research initially ran annually between 2009 and 2018 and returned for two editions in 2022 and 2023. The competition and exhibition were learning and professional development opportunities for researchers, aimed at developing their skills in communicating their research.

Our approach

Images of Research was open to staff from across job families who lead on and input into research. The competition invited staff to use visual imagery and a simple short description to tell people about their research and its benefits to society. The image submitted can take any form, it could be a photograph, a drawing or digital creation or an image from research directly, however, the image should highlight why research happening at the University matters - the difference University research is making to society.

What we did

Images of Research 2009 - 2018

Between 2009 and 2018, entries were invited in a number of categories, including:

• Best Image - entries where an image drew you in and enticed you to find out more.

• Best Description - entries that contained clear, non-technical, plain English that really gripped the reader as to the relevance of the research.

• Best Overall Entry - entries where the description and image interact in such a way that it clearly communicates the relevance of the research to a public audience.

• Public Choice - entries voted for by visitors to the Images of Research exhibition at The Edge and online exhibition.

The shortlisted entries were exhibited at various locations on and off campus, including The Edge, as part of the Vice-Chancellor's Engage Awards.

Images of Research 2022 and 2023

In 2022 and 2023, as part of the University's Research Culture programme, Images of Research returned and invited colleagues to submit entries in five categories that reflected research and strategic themes:

• Digital – research that is creating positive digital futures

• Health and Wellbeing – research that is addressing pressing health and wellbeing issues people are facing

• Local – research that is working with people from Bath and North East Somerset and creating positive outcomes for them and their communities

• Partnerships - research that is working in collaboration with people outside academia including industry, policymakers and civil society and community-based organisations

• Sustainability – research that is finding sustainable solutions to issues facing the planet and people

Find out more about how the Image of Research 2022 and 2023 competitions were organised with this Images of Research Guide

The shortlisted entries were exhibited in The Edge and at an outdoor site in the city centre of Bath.

Winners of Images of Research 2009-2018 and 2022-2023

We've captured the Images of Research entries and created a series of online exhibitions of shortlisted entries and winners from these previous years.

• Images of Research exhibition 2023

• Images of Research exhibition 2022

• Images of Research exhibition 2018

• Images of Research exhibition 2017

• Images of Research exhibition 2016

• Images of Research exhibition 2015

• Images of Research exhibition 2014

• Images of Research exhibition 2013

• Images of Research exhibition 2012

• Images of Research exhibition 2011

• Images of Research exhibition 2010

• Images of Research exhibition 2009

Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research, Johnathan Knight

This kind of initiative presents a unique challenge to researchers who have to explain why their work matters and do so in a visually compelling way. Over the years the quality has improved greatly and it's been fantastic to see how our researchers used images to capture the essence of their work.