Images of research 2026

Images of Research: voting now open!

How do you convey research and research impact through a single image?

Research across the University is rich, impactful and diverse and imagery can capture so much of that. So, we challenged our research staff and students to submit a single image which captures and explains their research from a different angle and to different audiences. We asked that the images inform, intrigue and engage people, and leave them wanting to know more!

It’s now time to vote for your favourite research images!

Take a look at the entries below and select the images that you think have really captured the research. Don’t forget to consider whether the images have informed, intrigued and engaged you. You can select a winner and runner-up. Our winners will win £125, and the runners up will win £75.

Voting closes 6 July 2026, 5pm

Choose your winner and runner up here:

* Indicates a required field

2026 Entries

$Predicting damage and fracture in wood-based materials through simulation$

Terms and conditions

Competition guidance

Open to research staff and Postgraduate Research Students at the University of Derby only
Only one entry per individual - if you submit more than one, only your first submission will be accepted
The photo must be original and captured by you. Images from someone’s else work, or sourced from stock websites/image banks will not be accepted
Poster formats will not be accepted
Entry opens on 11 May 2026, 9am and closes 8 June 2026, 5pm
Submission by website form only
Title (max. 80 characters) and narrative (max. 800 characters) must be included to be eligible
The narrative should explain what your image shows and how it relates to your research. The narrative must be accessible to a non-specialist audience
Images should be 2000x1333 pixels (mobile phones should support this - camera settings may need to be altered before photos are taken)
Images must be submitted as a JPEG or a PNG file
Submissions that do not conform to the competition rules, guidance and judging criteria will be deemed ineligible and removed from the competition

Use of Artificial Intelligence

Images generated by an AI Image Generator, will not be accepted as entries must be the entrant's own work. However, where AI is relevant to the research being undertaken, the use of AI is permitted but must be explained in the narrative.

You must be the sole owner and author of your entry
The University of Derby retains the right to use all submitted images (including non prize-winners) in promotional materials and on the University website and social media channels 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. Please see our example of a consent form (downloads as a word document) you might use. Submissions without a consent form from all identifiable persons of support will be removed from the competition
The University of Derby shall not be liable in any way for a submission

Judging criteria

Did the image make the viewer want to know more about the research?
Did the narrative communicate the story behind the image and how it relates to the research?
Was the narrative written in language appropriate to a non-specialist audience?
To what extent does the submission as a whole (image and text) communicate the impact of the research on society, culture, the environment or the economy?
Submissions need to meet the required specifications and eligibility criteria
The decision of the judging panel is final