Nexus Network photo competition
What do the links between food, energy, water and the environment mean to you? This was the question we asked in our October 2015 Nexus Network photo competition as part of the ESRC Festival of Social Science. We wanted to see how food, energy, water and the environment connect with people’s everyday lives, at home, at leisure, at work, travelling…anywhere!
We were delighted that the competition brought in a wide range of photos and we would like to say a big thank-you to everyone who took part. After some deliberation, our panel of 5 judges selected the top 3 images (images were anonymised for judging).
First place
This simple but effective photo of an every day scene with a boiling kettle and a cup of tea waiting to be made, captured the judges’ imagination to gain first place. The photo was taken by Prof Ian Christie who is the Research Fellow and Coordinator of the Sustainable Lifestyles Research Group and says he is also an ‘amateur environmental photographer’.
We asked Ian – what does this picture show of the nexus? ‘Using just the water and energy needed for a cup of tea in the kitchen‘.
The judges said ‘The playful nature of this photo quintessentially characterises the (English) domestic nexus.’
Second place
Second place goes to this beautiful image of a river at sunset, with the wire of electricity pylons sweeping across the sky, taken in the South of England.
We asked the photographer – what does this picture show of the nexus? ‘Convergence of the flowing river and electricity network, made beautiful by the sunset.’
The judges said ‘This is a beautiful landscape photo illustrating the juxtaposition of nexus elements.’
Third place
This stylish black and white picture was placed third by our judges and provides a thought-provoking connection between the growth of a modern city and the environment on which it depends. The photo was taken by David Gawith from the University of Cambridge who says ‘I had my mind blown by the scale of Shanghai on a recent trip!’
We asked David – what does this picture show of the nexus? ‘The skyline of Shanghai overlooking the river from which it grew.’
The judges said ‘This picture shows Nexus values and is also very visually appealing.’
