Visions of science

30 June 2000

For the first time, scientists and researchers as well as amateur and professional photographers are being given the chance to enter a prestigious science photographic competition.

Launched today, 31st May, The Daily Telegraph and Novartis have come together to unearth the best images of science in the Visions of Science Photographic Competition.

Some of the most powerful images of the past 100 years have come from the world of science and technology. From the first moon landing to the face of Dolly the sheep, pictures are able to bring science alive.

If you can take an excellent photograph (or have taken one in the last two years), either in your laboratory, your workplace or even away from work, which shows how science has a positive impact on our lives then you could win yourself a DC 290 digital camera from Kodak, worth RRP £699 or an Advantix T55OAF compact camera.

The picture can cover any aspect of science whether it be biology, medicine, physics, chemistry, technology, engineering or mathematics. What matters is that the picture shows science and the positive impact it can have on our lives. Each entry must be accompanied by a 50 word caption explaining the significance of the image.

David Derbyshire, Science Editor of The Daily Telegraph says, "There is a real opportunity for aspiring photographers to show their skills and bring science alive and we are looking forward to seeing some original work."

Entries will be accepted until 31 July, so take your camera out now and see if you can be a winner. The awards will be presented in October at the Royal Society in London where there will also be a follow-on exhibition of the winning photographs.

There are four entry categories which include best professional, amateur, science/healthcare worker and under 25 year old. In each category there will be prizes for the best three entries and two highly commended awards.

Fiona Fong, Head of Communications at Novartis UK says, "I am delighted that as a world investor in pharmaceuticals and healthcare, we are engaged in a series of activities to enthuse people about scientific developments. We hope many aspiring photographers will rise to the challenge."

Further information

Sue Bird
Tel:01372 454210

Fiona Fong
Novartis UK Ltd
Tel:01252 893510

NERC Press Office
Natural Environment Research Council
Polaris House, North Star Avenue
Swindon, SN2 1EU
Tel: 01793 411561
Mob: 07917 557215

Notes

1. Novartis and the Daily Telegraph are the organisers of this competition. Kodak has donated the prizes. The Royal Society is endorsing the initiative in science communications.

2. Entries will be accepted until 31 July. Judging will take place during September, ready for an awards event at The Royal Society, London in late October. The judging panel comprises:

Bob Bodman, Picture Editor, Daily Telegraph
David Derbyshire, Science Correspondent, Daily Telegraph
Sir Aaron Klug, President, Royal Society
Prof Susan Greenfield, Director, Royal Institution
Adam Hart-Davis, TV presenter
Prof John Westwick, Head of Respiratory Diseases, Novartis
Clare Taylor, Marketing Manager, Kodak

3. Novartis is a world leader in healthcare with core businesses in pharmaceuticals, consumer health, generics, eye-care and animal health. Novartis is a major investor in R&D, committing £1.5b globally each year. Headquartered in Basel, the group operates in over 100 countries. In the UK, Novartis has 3,000 employees covering the key business sectors. The group has recently announced plans to spin off its crop protection and seeds sectors to merge them with the agrochemicals business of AstraZeneca in the second half of 2000.

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Visions of science

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