Student Photo Competition - “UCD Through Our Eyes: Belonging & Inclusion in Focus” What does belonging look like to you? Capture it. Share it.
Would you like to feature in UCD EDI’s 10th anniversary event in March 2026 and be in with a chance to win a prize? We are inviting UCD students to take part in a photography competition and exhibition exploring the themes of Inclusion and Belonging at UCD. This is a chance to showcase your creativity, spark an important conversation and be part of shaping an inclusive and welcoming campus community. This initiative is about more than photography, it’s about celebrating our campus and sharing the ways people experience and create belonging.
Your photo can be of a person, a place, a moment, an object, or even a metaphor, taken on UCD campus or UCD related activity. It can be anything that helps you express what EDI and belonging mean to you. You don’t need to be a professional photographer. This is about your perspective, not perfection.
Tips for Inspiration
- A photo of the first place you felt at home on campus
- A cultural event on campus that connects you to your identity
- A gesture of inclusion on campus, big or small (a smile, a shared meal, a multi-lingual sign)
- A college friendship that crossed boundaries
- Spaces, symbols, or clothing on campus that make you feel welcome and like you belong
Submission Details
Open to all registered students at UCD, regardless of background or field of study.
Prize: One-for-All Voucher up for grabs for the top three photos!
Deadline: 23 January 2026
How to submit: (opens in a new window)Link to Google Form
Format: Digital photo, up to 5MB, JPG or PNG
Title: Give your photo a title (the story or idea behind your photo)
Criteria:
- 1 photo per person
- High-resolution images (minimum 300 DPI, 3000 x 4000 pixels)
- Original content only, no stock images or existing online photos, no AI-generated images
- In line with GDPR policies, photos should not feature identifiable individuals or close-up shots of people’s faces.
- The photo must directly relate to the competition's theme of EDI and belonging in UCD
- Originality: Unique perspectives and creative interpretations
- Emotional impact: The image should evoke a strong emotional response from the viewer.
- Storytelling: A compelling photo will tell a story, by showing different people in the spotlight or in a way that challenges stereotypes.
Photo Selection: A panel will review all photos submitted and make a selection for the exhibition on 4 March 2026. The panel will consist of the UCD Vice-President for EDI, the Students Union President and members of the EDI Team. Selection will be based on the criteria outlined above. Selected photographs will be:
- Printed and exhibited at the EDI 10-year Anniversary Event on 4 March 2026 in O’Reilly Hall where delegates can cast their votes
- Accompanied by your name and photo title
All submitted photos will be featured in an online gallery on the UCD EDI website.
Competition: After the event, votes will be counted and the top three winners will be notified via email in March. First place will receive a €100 voucher, second place €75 and third place €50.
Get Creative
You might explore questions like:
- What does it feel like to belong?
- When do you feel most included or seen?
- What does diversity look like in your community?
- Who or what helps you feel accepted or safe?
- How do you or others create inclusive spaces?