PhD Fieldwork Photography Competition

2026 PhD Fieldwork Photography header

POLIS hosts an annual Fieldwork Photography Competition to showcase the best images captured by our PhD students during their fieldwork. 

We encourage entries that provide new perspectives on how researchers interact with their environments and the social or political challenges they encounter in the field. We are particularly interested in images that reflect the relationship between the researcher and the people or cultures they study.

We welcome original artwork in any medium, including digital art. Beyond the visual quality of the entry, we encourage students to reflect on how their images offer new perspectives on methodology, theory, and the study of politics

Prizes:

Winner: £200 and your picture will be featured on the POLIS webpages

2nd place: £150 and your picture will be featured on the POLIS webpages

3rd place: £100 and your picture will be featured on the POLIS webpages

The winning photos will also be framed and displayed either in the Alison Richard Building or in the Centre relevant to your studies.

Competition Entry Requirements

To enter the competition, candidates must meet the following criteria and submission standards:

  • You must be a PhD student within POLIS or any of its Centres.
  • The image or original artwork must have been created or captured as part of your doctoral research.
  • By entering, you agree to allow the Department to feature your work on our website and other Department resources.
  • Please submit your entry in the highest possible resolution to ensure it is suitable for digital and print display.
  • Each submission must include:
    • Your full name and the location where the image was captured.
    • A descriptive caption of up to 30 words explaining what is occurring in the image and what inspired you to capture it.

The closing date for 2026 competition entries is 26 June 2026.

Entries should be submitted by email to Hayley Askew at PhDadmin@polis.cam.ac.uk.

If you have any questions regarding this competition please email Hayley Askew at PhDadmin@polis.cam.ac.uk.