Communicating research is one of the most essential and challenging skills for researchers. To assist them in communicating their research to the UL community and beyond, The Picture This competition challenges researchers to submit a photograph or an image that provided a visual perspective on their research with a caption of up to 280 characters.
The winners will be announced during Research Week 2025.
Pictured opposite is 2024 winner Mathuriga Thevapalan, Irish World Academy of Music and Dance.
Picture This! winners 2024
Winner
Name: Mathuriga Thevapalan
Department: Irish World Academy of Music and Dance
Title of image: Light in the Unfamiliar
How image relates to my research: My research explores improvisation within South Indian music as a non-native learner of the regional stringed instrument “vina”. As I navigate through an unfamiliar culture, the vina becomes a guiding light and a lens through which I gain insights into the music and its tradition, thereby shedding light on my research inquiries.
Runner-up
Name: Krishna Hari
Department: Chemical Sciences
Title of image: The Amino Tree of Life – A Glorious Purpose Unveiled!!!
How image relates to my research: Formed from amino acids with remarkable piezoelectric properties, this tree-like crystals not only mirrors the symbolic “Tree of Life” but also stands as a beacon for a sustainable future. This means they can generate electricity when pressure is applied to them, making them ideal for use in sensors, energy harvesting, and even medical devices.
Third place
Name: Sherli Novalinda
Department: Irish World Academy of Music and Dance
Title of image: Tale tale: Body as Living Archive
How image relates to my research: This research is titled "The Body Narrative in Indonesian Contemporary Dance," an Arts Practice investigation into the body as the legitimate owner of dance, where throughout its journey, the body often becomes a medium expressing something beyond itself. The research explores body memories related to traditional dance.
Picture This! winners 2023
Winner
Name: Sidra Zulfiqar
Department: Work and Employment Studies
Title of image: On the Outside Looking In…
How image relates to my research: The intersectionality of gender, race & religion pose multiple challenges for Pakistani women to adjust in workplaces where masculine & racialized organisational cultures are prevalent. These women struggle to secure leadership positions while balancing domestic responsibilities
Runner-up
Name: Wenyi Tang
Department: Nursing & Midwifery
Title of image: “The Lonely Ducks”- Migrant Asian family caregivers facing challenges and barriers to health support services
How image relates to my research: Ducks symbolise migrant Asian caregivers, chickens represent Irish caregivers. Limited availability of health support services affects both, but ducks face more challenges due to language and cultural differences and an unfamiliar medical system. Ducks hope someone will help them.
Third place
Name: Krishna Hari
Department: Physics
Title of image: A Crystal-Clear solution to Sustainable Energy
How image relates to my research: Amino acid crystals create electricity when pressure is applied to them and can be used in sensors, energy harvesting, and medical devices. Check out this beautiful crystal structure, which symbolizes a cutting-edge technology for a sustainable future.