Voting Opens for Art of Science Competition
Voting is now open for UC Santa Barbara’s annual Art of Science competition! This much-anticipated event invites the campus community—and the public—to explore the beauty of research through powerful and captivating visuals created by UCSB researchers.
🎨 Vote now: Cast your vote here »
📅Deadline to vote: May 1, 2025
🌐Learn more: Visit the Art of Science website
About the Competition
The Art of Science competition celebrates the creativity, curiosity, and experimental nature of scientific research. Participants submit striking images that capture a visual element of their work—whether it’s a spectroscopic scan of a novel material, a snapshot from a simulation, a photo of an experimental setup, or a compelling data visualization.
Each image is accompanied by a caption that tells the story behind the science, making it accessible and inspiring to scientists and non-scientists alike.
Awards
This year’s prizes include:
- First Place
- Second Place
- Third Place
- Best Caption
- Best Data Visualization
- People’s Choice (based on public voting!)
Judging Criteria
Submissions are evaluated based on:
- Aesthetic excellence
- Scientific or technical interest
- Captivating and clear captions that reveal the significance of the research and the story behind the image
As the competition reminds us: “In science, as in art, the practitioner pursues moments of discovery when observations become greater than the sum of their parts.”
Why It Matters
The Art of Science initiative is more than a contest—it’s a way to bridge the gap between disciplines and bring together scientists, artists, and the community through shared wonder and discovery. The images submitted reflect the often unseen beauty of the research process and invite everyone to look a little closer at the world around us.
We invite you to explore the entries, cast your vote, and experience the joy of scientific discovery—seen through a new lens.
