Art of Research

Art of Research text on blue background.

The Art of Research competition celebrates the extraordinary research of University at Buffalo graduate students and postdoctoral scholars through a showcase of original images highlighting the inherent beauty in research, scholarship and creative activity. The Art of Research competition seeks to provide a stage for researchers from all disciplines to make their research accessible to broad public audiences.

Eligibility

  • Currently enrolled University at Buffalo graduate students.
  • Currently appointed University at Buffalo postdoctoral scholars.
Submit your Art of Research entry.  Link to Formstack to complete Art of Research image submission.

Deadline: Feb. 28, 2024

Submissions Guidelines

  • Each researcher (or research team if a group submission) may enter one submission.
  • This competition is just for graduate students and postdoctoral scholars. It is not necessary to include your advisor in your submission.
  • Submission must include one static image accompanied by a title/caption and a short description in non-technical language.
  • The title/caption of your work should be a one-line caption that tantalizes the audience, inspiring them to learn more about your research, and communicates the science in clear, concise language that is accessible to a non-specialist audience. The Center for Excellence in Writing (CEW) is available to offer writing support for your submission title and short description.
  • Images must be the result of research affiliated with the University at Buffalo.
  • Images must be original images created by the submitter(s).
  • Participants agree that submissions may be used for campus promotional and publicity purposes.

Image Requirements

  • Submissions may be photographs, illustrations, visualizations, renderings and may include anything produced in the course of performing research. Examples include microscope photographs, telescope photographs, still images from video cameras, IR cameras, high-speed cameras, simulation results, 3-D renderings, data plots and mathematical visualizations, observations of natural phenomena, etc.
  • Photographs and sketches of physical objects related to science and scientific process are eligible. We solicit original images made during the scientific process, not images inspired by science.
  • Research posters should not be submitted. 
  • All entries, once submitted, are final and cannot be edited. Contest coordinators reserve the option to remove submissions deemed inappropriate.
What if I have an image from a scientific instrument that is low resolution?

Submit it! If it makes it to the exhibition, we will print it out in a suitable size based upon the resolution and display it along with the rest of the images.

Need some inspiration? Take a look at the 2023 Art of Research winners.

Awards

Entries will be judged on their creativity, aesthetic appeal, how well their image demonstrates or reflects their research, their caption, and the overall artistic and visual impact. 

  • Grand Prize: $1,000
  • Judge's Choice: $500 each
  • People's Choice: $500 (Determined by an attendee vote during the live event at the Buffalo Museum of Science).

Finalists will be notified at least two weeks before the live event on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, from 6-8 p.m. at the Buffalo Museum of Science. All finalists will display their work during this event and are required to attend. The winning entries will be announced during the event. All contest entrants are encouraged to attend.

Contact Us

Questions, comments or advice? Please contact us at grad@buffalo.edu.

Sponsors

Buffalo Museum of Science logo.