Important information about the competition

Pease make sure you read the following guidance before entering the competition. You will need to submit a completed entry form, alongside emailing a picture.

Important information to note:

• You are only allowed one entry per person
  
• You can name other researchers (such as your supervisors) on your submission but the person submitting will be deemed the lead applicant and will receive any prizes that may subsequently arise from the entry
  
• Only current doctoral students can enter the competition
  
• Please note that entries that do not conform to the specifications for the image file or title and description will be rejected
  
• After the competition’s closing date (Sunday 10 January 2021), an initial sift of entries will be made to determine the shortlist. We’ll advise you at this stage if your entry is being progressed
  

Specific guidance about images, titles and descriptions

Images

• Your image must be taken or created by yourself; you cannot submit images downloaded from the internet 
• Images should be high resolution (300ppi), or the highest amount of pixels on a digital camera
  
• Images should be either jpg or tif format (avoid gif files as the quality is too low), or vector format (.ai .eps or .pdf). Get in touch if you have any questions about image size or format
  
• Images can be full colour or black & white
  
• Images can be in any format (landscape / portrait / square) but images may be subject to cropping if needs be
  

Following submission of your online application form, your image should be emailed to doctoralengagement@bath.ac.uk

Title

• Each submission must have a title of no more than six words. A short, snappy title is crucial to intrigue individuals and to capture their attention. Examples from recent years include:
  • Commodity chains
    
  • Dogs don’t lie about love
    
  • How tough is a tackle?
    
  • Ghost faces in bamboo
    

Description

• Descriptions provide an opportunity to get creative about the way you describe your research, its importance and the difference it makes to the world
  
• The maximum length for descriptions is 150 words
  
• Please use plain English by avoiding jargon and acronyms
  
  • Set the scene carefully and explain how your work fits into the bigger picture. Be sure to address the ‘so what?’ question by explaining how and why your research is important. Try to allow your enthusiasm for your subject to shine
    
  • It can be helpful to use non-scientific analogies to explain complex ideas. For example: ‘peripheral nerves can be thought of as electrical cables: the nerves are the wires that run down the middle and they are wrapped in a fatty layer of insulating material called the myelin sheath’
    
  • If you do have to use technical terms or acronyms, make sure that you explain them
    
  • It may be worth asking a friend or relative, who has no specialist knowledge of your research area, to read your description. Do they understand your description and the importance of your research?
    

Judging criteria

A panel of judges and the university community will be able to vote for their favourite images when voting opens. Both scores will be combined to determine an overall winner.

In choosing their top 3 entries, the panel of judges and the university community will be asked to think about the following while voting:

• How the description and image works together to illustrate clearly why the research matters – how it makes a difference to society, economy, other research or global challenges?
  
• The impact and attractiveness of the image - does the image entice you to want to know more?
  
• The use of clear, non-technical, plain English – avoidance of jargon
  
• How the description draws the reader in through, for example, an engaging title and the use of analogies / humour / questions etc
  

Subject limitations, copyright and liability

Subject limitations

No nudes or portrayals of illegal activities will be accepted. Submissions that, in the sole discretion of the judges, are considered inappropriate or unsuitable for publication will be deemed ineligible and removed from the competition.

Copyright

The University of Bath retains the right to use all submitted photographs — including those not chosen to win prizes — in promotional materials without further permission from, or compensation to, the entrant. Credit will be given to the entrant if reproduced. The entrant will retain copyright. We expect the images to be original and produced by you. Downloaded files from the internet do not qualify.

Liability

By entering this contest, if your entry is deemed eligible, you consent to the use of your name, biographical information, winning entry and any statements attributed to you, or photographs of you taken subsequently, being used for promotional purposes without additional compensation to you. As such, you hereby grant to the University of Bath a non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to reproduce works based on your submission without any obligation to compensate you.

The University of Bath shall not be liable in any way for a submission. You represent and warrant to the University that you are the sole and exclusive owner of your submission.