UChicago Library Image of Research Competition

Submissions for 2024 are now closed.

Introduction

The University of Chicago Library is hosting a contest for students to submit images from their research! Showcase your work by sending us a photo, visualization, or other image that exemplifies your research.

  • First Prize award is $200
  • Second Prize award is $150
  • Honorable Mention(s) award is $50

Competition Guidelines and Eligibility

What is an Image of Research?

We define research in broad terms to encompass all of the scholarly and creative work done by our students here at the University of Chicago. Some examples of images you can submit to this competition include:

  • Photos from your field work
  • Graphs, maps, or other visualizations of your research
  • Stills of 3D renderings
  • Illustrations
  • And much more!

Eligibility

The competition is open to graduate and undergraduate students at the University of Chicago who are currently enrolled and in good academic standing. The competition is not restricted by year of study or major.

Submission Criteria

  • All submissions must be received before the posted deadline.

  • Submissions must include a title of less than 250 characters.

  • Submissions must include a 100-200 word description of your research and how the submitted image illustrates your work. You may also describe how, where, or when your image was created.

  • AI generated images are not eligible. If you have used AI in only a small part of the image creation (such as for help generating the code for a visualization) you may still submit your image; however, we do ask that you please describe your use of AI in the process.

  • The entrant must be the principal creator of the image. Third-party content can be used (for example, mixed with other content), but submitting a third-party image unaltered is not permitted. Entrants are responsible for ensuring that any use of images or materials that are under copyright by a third party either falls under fair use or that relevant permissions have been sought, that no copyright has been infringed, and that any necessary release forms have been signed.

  • Collaborative works are accepted, provided:
    • All creators are acknowledged and the contribution of each author is clearly outlined;
    • The creator(s) of the image are undergraduate or graduate student(s)
    • In the case of an award for a collaborative image, the prize will be distributed equally between the submitters.

In addition to contest eligibility, submission files must meet certain technical specifications in order to be considered. If your file does not meet these requirements, we will ask that the necessary changes be made before accepting and processing your submission.

  • Images should be the best quality image that you can provide. Please make sure your image file meets the following requirements:
    • Minimum resolution of 300 ppi.
    • Image must be at least 10 inches on the longest end.
    • Image must be in TIFF, JPEG, or JPEG2 format.

Prizes and Selection Process

This competition is divided into two categories: Graduate and Undergraduate. The winners of each contest will receive a cash prize and may have their work showcased in the Library. Prizes for winners and runners-up are outlined below:

Undergraduate

  • 1st Prize: $200
  • 2nd Prize: $150
  • Honorable Mention(s): $50

Graduate

  • 1st Prize: $200
  • 2nd Prize: $150
  • Honorable Mention(s): $50

Submissions will be judged by a panel of Librarians from the Center for Digital Scholarship and the Research and Learning Team based on the originality of the image, connection to research, legibility, and visual impact.

This competition was inspired by the Image of Research competition at the University of Illinois at Chicago.