The deadline to enter the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada's Science Exposed photography competition is Monday, Jan. 24.Pull out your cameras, science researchers. It’s time once again to submit eye-catching images to the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)’s national photography competition, Science Exposed.
Organized by NSERC and Acfas, the competition showcases images taken during scientific research being conducted in all fields by faculty and student researchers in post-secondary institutions, as well as researchers in public and private research centres.
“Researchers are being more frequently asked to share their work with the public, and images are an effective, relatable way to share scientific knowledge,” says the Science Exposed website. “They can convey emotion, beauty and even surprise, while also fostering curiosity.”
Individuals or groups have until 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 24 to submit one image with a written description directly related to their research. See the contest rules for more details.
Two juries will select the finalist images: one will select 20 images out of those submitted for the French contest, La preuve par l’image, and the other will select 20 for the English contest, Science Exposed. These 40 finalist images will be posted on the web and showcased by various means, including exhibitions.
The 20 finalists of the English contest will be revealed in May on NSERC’s website and social media pages.
The public gets the chance to vote for their favourite image for the People’s Choice Award, which carries a $2,000 prize, while a panel of judges selects three images to be awarded jury prizes of $2,000 each. The recipients of the three jury prizes and the People’s Choice Award will be announced in October or November.
Brock University has done very well in the competition over the years.
In 2020, biology student Jessie deHaan’s photograph of a bee’s eye was among 20 finalists shortlisted.
Two years before that, Master of Sustainability Science student Dana Harris captured both the People’s Choice Award and a Jury Prize for her photo, “Exploring the Jack Pine Tight Knit Family Tree.”
In 2016, the photo “Burning Love” produced by Biology student Viviana Cadena was also among 20 finalists shortlisted.
