Competitions and Awards

The Research Communication Awards invites scholars to present their research through creative and artistic expression—whether dance, music, poetry, drawing, rap, or performance. Inspired by initiatives like Dance Your PhD, this event transforms complex academic work into engaging, accessible, and emotionally resonant storytelling. Participants are challenged to communicate the essence of their research in ways that connect with diverse audiences beyond academia. The competition values originality, clarity, and creative impact while fostering interdisciplinary appreciation. By blending art and science, the event highlights the power of imagination in scholarship, promoting deeper understanding, collaboration, and public engagement with research.

The Scholars' Wellbeing Problem–Solution Competition invites students, researchers, and early-career academics to address the growing challenges of stress, burnout, and isolation in scholarly life. Participants are encouraged to identify specific wellbeing issues within academic settings and propose innovative, research-informed solutions. Submissions may include wellness programs, peer-support models, digital interventions, or institutional policy recommendations that promote balance, resilience, and inclusion. The competition values originality, practicality, and potential for measurable impact. By fostering dialogue and creative problem-solving, this initiative seeks to empower scholars to co-create healthier academic ecosystems that sustain motivation, mental health, and long-term professional growth.

The My Academic Identity Challenge invites scholars to embark on a journey of deep professional introspection, moving beyond the static lines of a CV to articulate who they are as thinkers and educators. Participants are tasked with constructing a narrative that synthesizes their specific research focus—the "what" and "why" of their intellectual curiosity—with their methodological orientation, explaining how they navigate the landscape of inquiry. This challenge dives beneath the surface to explore the philosophical underpinnings and core values that drive their work, while integrating their teaching identity as a vital component of their scholarly persona. Beyond current projects, the competition encourages a forward-looking perspective on long-term scholarly aspirations and a critical reflection on how they position themselves within their broader discipline. By fostering this holistic self-awareness, the initiative aims to help scholars build a resilient, authentic professional brand that bridges the gap between personal conviction and academic contribution.

The "If I Were the Supervisor…" Role Reversal competition invites doctoral candidates and early-career researchers to step into the shoes of a mentor, flipping the traditional academic hierarchy to envision a more effective and empathetic supervisory model. Participants are challenged to reflect on the dynamics of mentorship, identifying common friction points and proposing transformative approaches to guidance, feedback, and professional development. Submissions should outline a personal "Supervisory Manifesto" that prioritizes inclusive leadership, ethical mentorship, and collaborative growth, detailing how they would cultivate a supportive research environment that balances high academic standards with the mentee's holistic well-being. By encouraging scholars to reimagine the power structures of academia, this initiative aims to define a new gold standard for supervision—one that fosters psychological safety, empowers the next generation of researchers, and ensures that the journey toward a PhD is as enriching as the final degree.

The Research Idea Competition celebrates creativity, originality, and forward-thinking in academic inquiry. It invites researchers, doctoral candidates, and students to present groundbreaking ideas that have the potential to advance knowledge, address global challenges, or inspire interdisciplinary collaboration. Participants are encouraged to propose innovative concepts supported by logical reasoning, feasibility, and potential impact rather than fully developed studies. The competition nurtures intellectual curiosity, entrepreneurial thinking, and research innovation across disciplines. By recognizing promising early-stage ideas, it aims to cultivate a culture of exploration and collaboration, empowering participants to transform their visionary concepts into impactful, real-world research contributions.

The Book Idea Competition invites scholars, researchers, and academics to propose compelling concepts for scholarly or crossover books that bridge research excellence with creative expression. This competition encourages participants to craft innovative, well-structured book ideas that communicate complex ideas with clarity, originality, and societal relevance. Submissions may include academic monographs, edited volumes, or research-based nonfiction aimed at wider audiences. The competition values conceptual depth, coherence, and potential for academic or public impact. By recognizing outstanding book proposals, it fosters a culture of scholarly authorship and motivates researchers to translate their expertise into influential, accessible, and enduring contributions to knowledge.

The Book Review Competition celebrates critical thinking, analytical writing, and scholarly engagement through the art of academic book reviewing. Participants are invited to submit insightful reviews of recently published books relevant to their field of study, assessing the work's originality, theoretical contribution, and practical significance. The competition values clarity of argument, balanced critique, and intellectual depth, encouraging reviewers to situate the book within broader academic debates. Open to students, researchers, and faculty, the event promotes reflective scholarship and academic dialogue. By recognizing excellence in critical appraisal, the competition strengthens research literacy and fosters thoughtful engagement with scholarly literature.

The PhD Memes & Avatars Competition celebrates the lighter side of doctoral life by encouraging participants to creatively capture the joys, struggles, quirks, and triumphs of the research journey. Through humorous memes, original avatars, comics, or digital illustrations, participants are invited to transform everyday academic experiences into engaging visual narratives that resonate with the scholarly community. The competition promotes creativity, digital expression, and a sense of camaraderie among researchers while highlighting the shared realities of doctoral education. By blending humor with academic culture, it aims to foster well-being, strengthen community spirit, and remind scholars that laughter and creativity are integral to an enriching research journey.

The Photography and Media Contest celebrates creativity, storytelling, and the art of capturing meaningful moments throughout the conference. Participants are invited to document the spirit of the event — from engaging academic discussions and collaborative interactions to cultural experiences, campus life, and memorable behind-the-scenes moments — through compelling photographs taken between 30 August and 4 September. The contest encourages participants to present a unique visual narrative that reflects the essence, energy, and impact of the conference.

As the culminating entry, participants are required to curate their best photographs into a single creative collage, showcasing their perspective and the memorable experiences of the event. The collage must be submitted by 5 September at 7:00 AM. Through this initiative, the contest seeks to preserve the conference's legacy, encourage artistic expression, and celebrate the diverse stories that emerge when scholarship, collaboration, and creativity come together.