Winners of BU research photography competition revealed

The winners of a BU competition which asked staff and students to share their research in a single image have been revealed.

Over 2,000 votes were cast for the 47 entries in the competition – with the researchers behind the three most popular images presented with vouchers for a photography website.

The winner was PhD student Sarah Hambridge, whose research looks at how vulnerable and disadvantaged people can be helped and supported by taking part in activities on care farms.

Her image, taken at a rural farm in Dorset, show two service users taking part in care farm activities.

Sarah said: “I was extremely lucky the day I went to the farm. It was a beautiful spring day and I particularly liked this image as it showed both service users together and the farm environment and them doing an activity.

“When you go to the farm, there’s this sense that it brings peace and tranquility to their lives, and I felt this photo represents that.”

Sarah added that she thought the competition was a great idea.

“I think it’s really fantastic and I think it’s a really great platform for the research and the work that’s going on within BU.” 

Second place went to Postgraduate Researcher in Psychiatric Genetics Rosa Spencer-Tansley.  

 Her image captured the responses of 100 BU students after she asked them what they thought caused mental health issues.

Rosa said: “It’s nice to be able to share my research with the rest of the university. I think an image can say a lot and it can really get your message across.

“Psychiatric genetics is quite hard to share in a photo so I wanted to look at the causes of mental health issues but also look at some of the stigmas. I hope my image starts a conversation.” 

The third place prize was awarded to Associate Lecturer in Forensic Science Sulaf Assi, final year Forensic Science students Stephanie Farrat and Jordan Thomas, and animation student Robert Moore.

Their image was a composition that illustrated the work they do identifying counterfeit lifestyle products.

Stephanie said: “We were all working on lifestyle products so worked together anyway, and it seemed interesting. It’s really nice to think that people voted for our image.”

The most popular images from the competition were showcased in a photography exhibition on Talbot Campus.