The Image Of Research

Guidelines

Graduate and professional students are invited to submit a static image or a moving image-based work that is evocative of their research. (Image could be created as part of the research process itself, or to represent a student’s research.) Moving image entries are considered separately from the still image entries. Students may submit to both categories, but the images and the research they represent must be significantly different from one another.

Rules

1. Only one entry per person or collaborative group for each category (still and moving).
2. Primary entrant must be enrolled in a graduate or professional degree program at UIC during the academic year the competition is run within.
3. Awards are paid to the University Student Account of the primary entrant. If the primary entrant is no longer a registered student at the time the award is paid, then payment will be made directly to the entrant as a vendor. Please be aware that additional paperwork is required for vendor set-up.
4. Submission must have been generated as part of the student’s research within their graduate program at UIC, or to represent their research.
5. Entrant(s) must be principal creator(s) of image. Collaborative submissions are encouraged.
6. Submissions will be accepted through posted dates.
7. Entrant(s) are responsible for ensuring that any relevant permissions have been sought, that no copyright has been infringed, and that any necessary release forms have been signed.
8. Still image entries:
   1. Select one image that you think provides the best visual documentation of your research. You will be asked to submit two versions of your still image entry, a copy of the original file along with a lower resolution version to be used for web applications.
   2. To ensure your image is associated with your entry append your UIC NETID to the beginning of the file name (Example: JDoe23_20230120.tif)
   3. HIGH-RESOLUTION MINIMUM STANDARD. Your image file must be at 300 PPI with the longest side of the image measuring at least 13.3inches (or pixel dimensions of 4000 x 3000 pixels). DSLRs with 12MP+ are suitable for use. An uncompressed TIF image file is preferred. Save this file to a cloud storage location and make it shareable. Files will be submitted using the entry form.
   4. Do not artificially upscale the size of your image in photo-editing software as it will not improve the resolution. If you do not have a file of sufficient size/resolution, please try to take another photograph, perhaps use a better camera, or select a different image. Images that do not meet the minimum required resolution may be eliminated from consideration.
   5. Create a 2000px (long dimension) .JPG version of this same image file. This version will be uploaded with your submission.
   6. Images in both landscape and portrait orientation will be considered for the competition. Panoramic, or other images with a strong landscape orientation may not be selected for use in banners promoting the competition.
9. Moving image entries:
   1. Your submission must be no longer than two (2) minutes long (including credits). There is no minimum time, but winning submissions typically last longer than 60 seconds and have distinct beginnings and endings with some sort of story or arc in the middle.
   2. Resolution must be at least HD-quality (1920x1080p).
   3. To ensure your image is associated with your entry append your UIC NETID to the beginning of the file name (Example: JDoe23_20230120.tif).
   4. If your moving image includes sampled audio, you should have copyright for the audio or use something under Creative Commons licensing.
   5. Sign into YouTube, using a UIC Google Workspace account, and upload your video. Only YouTube videos will be accepted. All active students can create a free Google Workspace account. Click here for instructions on creating your free Google Workspace account. Be sure to enable embedding so that it can be viewed through the Graduate College website. You will be including the URL to this in your submission.
   6. If your video includes spoken words, it must have Closed Captioning enabled.
   7. If your submission is chosen as a finalist, you will be asked to submit a high-resolution version of the file.
10. Your submission must include a 100-200 word description of your research and how the image you are submitting provides visual documentation of your overall work at UIC. This description must include, but is not limited to, an explanation of how the image relates to your research. You may also include such information about what the image represents (if it is not immediately apparent), and where and/or how the image was created.
11. Rules on AI Usage:
    1. As a general framework, entrants must follow the policies and guidelines documented in the UofI System Generative AI Guidance for Students, linked below. We strongly recommend paying particular attention to the guidelines regarding Using Generative AI Responsibly (including citations and co-author policy), Thinking Critically About Generative AI, Ways to Use Generative AI, and Ways Not to Use Generative AI. If your entry will be utilizing AI tools, please make sure you read and understand these polices thoroughly, as failure to adhere may disqualify your entry in its entirety.
    2. In order to qualify, AI entries must be generated using one (1) of the approved services listed below. These services, in addition to being widely available, also exhibit the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST’s) characteristics of trustworthy AI. Submissions utilizing AI tools and services which are NOT approved may disqualify your entry in its entirety.
       1. ChatGPT
       2. Google Gemini (Pro plan currently free for 1 year for students)
       3. Microsoft Copilot
       4. Adobe Photoshop AI
    3. During your submission, you will be required to disclose the following information regarding your AI entry:
       1. AI Tool Used (ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Microsoft Copilot)
       2. Model, within the tool, used (e.g. “ChatGPT 4.1” or “Google Gemini 3”)
       3. Exact, word-for-word prompt(s), that were used to generate the entry, in its entirety.
    4. For any additional questions, regarding AI usage, please contact the committee at gcior@uic.edu

• UofI System Generative AI Guidance for Students

Submission Details

• In order to submit you will be required to login using a valid UIC NetID and password.
• The submission form will only be active during the posted submission period.
• All submissions must be received before the posted deadline date.

Judging Criteria

• Criteria for judging include:
  • The originality of the image and the research it represents
  • The relationship between the image and the student’s research
  • Overall aesthetic appeal of the image.

Jury

A multi-disciplinary jury reviews the submissions and awards prizes to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners and three honorable mentions for still-image submissions, and multiple winners for moving images submissions.

Still Image Category

• 1st Prize:  $600
• 2nd Prize: $400
• 3rd Prize:  $200
• Honorable Mentions (6): $100

Moving Image Category

• 1st Prize:  $600
• 2nd Prize: $400
• 3rd Prize:  $200
• Honorable Mentions (2): $100

Past Winners and Honorable Mentions

Winners and finalists for each year’s competition can be found in the UIC institutional repository (INDIGO) linked below.

• UIC Institutional Repository