Sustainability Photographer of the Year 2023

Images from left to right photographed by Diarmid Xu, Davide Massimo, and Martin Fellermeyer .

Visual storytelling is a powerful tool for change. Through the lens of photography, one can tell a compelling story in an instant and even inspire action.  

We invite students and staff members from across the University to show us what moves you to take environmental action, through the lens of your camera, capturing visuals from across Oxfordshire that feature, wildlife, people and place. 

This competition is an opportunity to focus on environmental sustainability through the art of photography and have your work recognised within the University. Five images will be selected and announced at the 2023 Vice-Chancellor’s Awards for Environmental Sustainability with one entrant being named Sustainability Photographer of the Year. The five selected artists will also receive a professionally printed copy of their work to take home.  

For inspiration, please see the ‘Balance’ travelling gallery, exhibiting works from previous years of the Sustainability Photographer of the Year competition and the Oxford Wildlife Photography and Film-making Society.  

Who can enter?

Any current staff member or student from the University of Oxford with a valid ID card can enter. You do not need previous experience, just a camera or phone, an observant eye and some inspiration.

Judging criteria

Entries will be assessed based on the aesthetic quality of the image, its ability to bring sustainability to life, an Oxford focus on environmental issues of global significance, and adherence to the aims of the competition. Please note that once made, all judgement decisions are final and further deliberation will not take place.  

Announcing the winners

The Sustainability Photographer of the Year and the four finalists will be contacted via email by the end of May 2023. The public announcement will take place at the Vice-Chancellor’s Awards for Environmental Sustainability on 20 June 2023 at the Weston Library.

How to submit

Please use this form to submit your entry. You may submit up to five photos. Please make sure you read and agree to the terms and conditions listed below. 

Please contact the Environmental Sustainability team with any questions: sustainability@admin.ox.ac.uk.

Terms and conditions

• Complete your submission form by 28 May 2023.
• You can submit up to five photographs to this competition using the same form. Before submitting your application, ensure you understand and have met the terms and conditions outlined on this page. 
• Please note that by submitting an application, you agree for your submission to be used by the University in publicity materials both in print and online. If we do use your image, we will credit you as the photographer wherever this is feasible. For example, the photographs may be presented at University of Oxford Environmental Sustainability events. 
• All photographs must be submitted digitally as JPEGs. To allow for quality resolution, we suggest images be a minimum of 12 megapixels (18 or over preferably). If you can adjust your camera settings, please use 150 DPI or greater.  
• No borders, watermarks or signatures should be included. 
• The pictures can have been taken at any time. 
• Include your surname and the year 2023 within the image file name. 
• All submitted entries must be the original work of the entrant. The entrant must be the sole owner of the entire sole copyright for all images entered. It is the responsibility of the entrant to ensure compliance with this requirement. 
• If you have submitted a photograph of an individual or a group in a private setting, you must have obtained the person’s prior consent for the use of that photograph in accordance with the rules of this contest. Entrants must ensure that they have the consent of any subjects of their photograph(s) before entering the competition. 
• By entering the competition, you will be deemed to be bound by the rules, and the University of Oxford reserves the right to exclude any entry from the competition at any time if there is reason to believe that an entrant has breached the rules.  
• By entering the competition, you agree to your name, biographical information (specifically your name and college/department) and submitted image(s) being used by the University of Oxford for the following purposes: (i) publication in print materials, (ii) publication online; and (iii) promotion of the University of Oxford in any other media. 
• By entering the competition, you grant the University of Oxford a non-exclusive licence to use your image(s). You retain the copyright for your image(s). 
• Photographs may be removed from the competition if it is felt that it does not meet these requirements.