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Research as Art

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2019 - Winners and Runners Up
2018 - Winners and Runners-Up
2017 - Winners and Runners-Up
2016 - Winners and Runners-Up
2015 - Winners and Runners-Up
How to Enter
Competition Judging

2020 Competition now open: Deadline Midnight Monday 7th September

2019 - Winners and Runners Up

What is Research as Art ?

Research as Art is a competition which provides a platform for students, researchers and university staff to convey the importance of their research.

For researchers used to describing their work in academic papers, distilling their research down to one picture and a 150-word description can present a challenge.

However, Research as Art is less about the stunning picture, and more about the story. It's about what goes on behind the research; what it means to be a researcher.

You will need to complete an application form. Any problems please email: surfimage@swansea.ac.uk

Professor Richard Johnston, Founder of Research as Art

"As ever, the community who submit to Research as Art drive the direction of the project. Pieces can have any focus the creator wishes, which may chime with themes explored previously, such as our future, sustainability, emotion, failure, as well as encompassing the unique challenges of the pandemic.

Please submit what you feel most comfortable creating.

To accommodate the challenging conditions we are all experiencing, we have introduced a longer submission period, up until the 7th September 2020 for those who would like to submit an entry.''

Research as Art and it's possible place in the COVID 19 pandemic

We recognise that during this challenging time everyone’s experiences are different; there will be many hidden stories that capture a snapshot of this difficult period and its effects on humanity.

Submissions this year may form a unique historical record of the challenges and emotions of both trying to navigate a way through the pandemic, and also the effect on the lives of those in research and its connection to society.

We carefully considered whether Research as Art should run during this period. Feedback from the community suggested it could provide researchers with a different creative gateway for them to engage with their own research; that islands of normality are important; and that it could be more valuable than ever as a historical record.

Here is a recent article on Research as Art and its possible place within the COVID pandemic in Forbes magazine

Top Tip

Write an extract of up to 150 words which tells a story about your research or research experience.

Your story could be about your research, it's successes or failures, how your research has impact or how it makes you feel. It could be about what being a researcher is like or about the research community you are a part of.

You also needs to create or choose an image which represents your research or what its like to be a researcher or a part of the research community.

The image you choose is there to help you tell your story, so try to select something that represents the message you are trying to get across.

Your image can be anything at all from a picture of a piece of equipment, to something under a microscope or a photo of your office after a long night! Take a look at our previous year's competition winners to see the range of ideas.

Enter the competition 2020

The competition is now open! Deadline Midnight Monday 7th September. Please apply via the application form and visit our guide on for further information