Cavendish Photography Competition 2025

In 2025, the Cavendish Laboratory has moved in its new home, the Ray Dolby Centre. As we look to the future, we invite you to imagine what the next 150 years might hold. What breakthroughs lie ahead? How will the Cavendish shape the future of physics? If you can express your vision through photography — inspired by innovation, collaboration, or your own perspective — we invite you to share it with the Cavendish community in this year’s photography competition.

Theme and Prizes

The Next 150 Years of Physics at Cavendish

The theme for this year’s competition is ‘The Next 150 Years of Physics at Cavendish’.

For 150 years, the Cavendish Laboratory has led the way in experimental and theoretical physics — pushing boundaries, tackling global challenges, and shaping the world through science. Now, in our new home at the Ray Dolby Centre, we continue that spirit with the state-of-the-art facilities designed for collaboration, creativity, and impact.

This is a new era for physics at the Cavendish — one defined by interdisciplinary research, global partnerships, and a shared ambition to transform the future. Our work spans disciplines and sectors, driving change not just in science, but in education, business, and society.

The third Cavendish Photography Competition celebrates this future-facing spirit. The theme, ‘The Next 150 Years of Physics at the Cavendish’, invites staff and students to visually express what the future of physics at the Cavendish means to them.

Whether your vision is inspired by innovation, new ways of working, or your own hopes for what’s to come, we encourage you to take part and share your perspective with the Cavendish community.

 

Phase two, Phase Blue by Petri Murto & Daniel Congrave, one of the winners of last year's competition

Entry details and Prizes

Entry Details 

Entries can take the form of photographs, moving images, or videos. Each submission must be accompanied by a title and a brief description or story that conveys its relevance to the theme. The emphasis is on originality, aesthetics, curiosity, and the ability to provoke or intrigue.

Winning entries will be showcased throughout the year across the Department and University websites, newsletters, electronic screens, posters, and social media. They may also receive media coverage. Additionally, a significant number of entries will be showcased in web galleries, social media, the department website, and the Ray Dolby Centre.

All participants will be duly credited for their contributions.

Prizes

The competition is open to all Department staff (including professional staff), researchers and students. Below are the details of the prizes –

  • Head of Department prize of £300 Amazon Voucher
  • 1st prize – One winner will get £100 Amazon Voucher
  • 2nd prize – One winner will get £50 Amazon Voucher each
  • 3rd prize – One winner will get £25 Amazon Voucher each
  • ‘Special prize’ for AI generated image/video – One winner will get £75 Amazon Voucher

 

The nano-garden of a scientist by Hio-leng Un

Entry Rules

  1. The deadline for submission is August 26, 2025.
  2. Photographs must be submitted by email to photo-competition@phy.cam.ac.uk
  3. Videos can be sent using a free, large file transfer service such as Dropbox or Wetransfer.
  4. In applicable (in case of entries related to current research or any other sensitive material), the entrant must include the following statement in the body of the email: I have checked with my manager/supervisor/DoS __________________ that I have permission to enter the attached photograph(s)/video(s) in the competition and give the Cavendish Laboratory, Department of Physics the right to publish the photograph(s)/videos(s) on its website and elsewhere.
  5. If the photographs/videos include any individuals, then due consent will need to be taken in writing. Please email photo-competition@phy.cam.ac.uk to request a consent form.
  6. AI generated images, partly or fully, will not be permitted in the competition except for ‘Special Prize’ category. Any use of AI tools to partly edit an image entered in the general category should be disclosed by the participant (i.e. to remove or extend background, to change colour, etc.)
  7. The participant must also provide:
    1. A title for their entries
    2. Description of the overall story as well as description for each individual photograph/moving image/video (if more than one is being submitted), noting whether the photograph is a composite of several images or has been enhanced in any way.
    3. Any due acknowledgements.
  8. More guidelines on the entries:
    1. Ideally, photographs should be of good print quality (ideally printable in A0 size 300 DPI), but if it is available only as a web quality image then please still enter.
    2. There is no limit to the number of entries.
  9.  Please note that reconstructing images/ moving images from data will also be eligible for the photography competition.
  10. The photography competition will be judged by a panel of physicists. The competition is open between 3 November 2023 and 29 February 2024. The winners will be announced in spring 2024.
  11. Each entry may be submitted individually or as a group of up to two people.