NSERC Science Exposed photo contest 2022

Description

Science Exposed is a contest organized by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and devoted exclusively to images of scientific research, in all fields of study. In 2016, NSERC was proud to collaborate with the Association francophone pour le savoir (Acfas) and open La preuve par l'image to candidates all across Canada. Acfas is responsible for the Francophone segment of the contest, La prevue par l'image, and NSERC is responsible for the Anglophone segment, Science Exposed.

This contest is important because...

• Researchers create, capture and use images that are vital to scientific discussion, education, and knowledge dissemination.
• Images are a powerful way of teaching and communicating.
• Images are now ubiquitous in everyday life. Thanks to digital technology, the use of images has skyrocketed, especially on the Internet, which has become a highly visual learning medium.
• Researchers are being more frequently asked to share their work with the public, and images are an effective, relatable way to share scientific knowledge. They can convey emotion, beauty, and even surprise, while also fostering curiosity.

Contest goals

• Showcase images of Canadian research
• Foster interest in science and scientific curiosity in all audiences
• Build a database of scientific images of Canadian research
• Contribute to the advancement of knowledge and to new uses of scientific images

Eligibility

Eligible contestants must fit into any of the following categories:

• Student researchers at the Master's or doctoral level, or postdoctoral researchers.
• Research professors in a postsecondary institution or any other individual conducting research in a college, polytechnic, or university setting.
• Researchers in a public or private research centre.

Eligibility criteria for images:

• All types of image technologies may be used (for example, photography using either natural light or other spectra, images produced by optical or electronic instruments, computer-generated images, images from models, drawings, diagrams, graphs, etc.).
• Images must be directly related to and created in the context of the contestant’s research.
• Images may come from any field of research in the natural sciences, engineering, social sciences, humanities, or health sciences, but not from research in the arts (defined to include visual arts, media arts and research on artistic creation).
• An image may be enhanced or modified, but any changes must not alter its meaning. Colourization and graphic processing of images using software such as Photoshop© are permitted to clarify or accentuate certain content, but these changes must not misrepresent or distort the content.
• File size must not exceed 99 megabytes; upload times may vary depending on the speed of your Internet connection, particularly for larger files.
• Images must be submitted in their original format, not in a compressed file.
• Images may be submitted in one of three file formats: .png, .tiff or .jpg.

Prize

Special Notes

Please note that research activities carried out in the context of COVID-19 need to adhere to the University of Guelph COVID-19 research principles, policies, guidelines and processes as they may be updated from time to time and communicated on the Office of Research web-page. 

How to Apply

Images must be submitted with a three-part text description: a catchy title, a plain-language explanation of the research presented in the image, and a description of the technique or technology used to create the image. All three parts must be written in the language of the contest to which the image is being submitted—either in French for La preuve par l’image or in English for Science Exposed. All three parts must be submitted online along with the image. Images may be submitted online using the form found on the NSERC Science Exposed application portal.

Please also submit a copy of the application and an OR-5 to research.services@uoguelph.ca by the external deadline.

For More Information

For more information, contact  Comm@nserc-crsng.gc.ca or research.honours@uoguelph.ca. Please also visit the NSERC Science Exposed web-page.