The Matariki Network is delighted to launch its new Research in Focus competition, inviting researchers from across the Network to showcase their collaborative research through the power of imagery.
Open to researchers at all career stages, including postgraduate students, who are currently involved in or have recently participated in a Matariki Network Seed Fund collaboration, the competition invites entrants to capture their research in one compelling image, accompanied by a short, accessible caption of up to 150 words.
Whether it is a photograph from fieldwork, an image from the laboratory, a visualisation of research findings or an illustration that captures the essence of a project, Research in Focus is an opportunity to bring Matariki collaborations to life and share their stories with audiences beyond academia.
The competition aims to raise the global visibility of Matariki research, engage wider audiences and celebrate the collaborative work taking place between researchers across the Network.
Entries will be considered for prizes, with winning submissions selected by a judging panel alongside a People’s Choice vote.
Key dates
📅 Entries open: Monday 19 October 2026
📅 Entries close: Sunday 8 November 2026
Applicants should complete the online registration form before submitting their image in PNG or JPEG format to the Matariki Network Secretariat. Full details, including eligibility and submission requirements, are available in the competition guidelines.
We’re looking forward to seeing the creative and inspiring ways our researchers bring their Matariki collaborations into focus!