Adelaide Optics Chapter Showcases Science Through the Lens

The Adelaide Optics Chapter (AOC), the OPTICA/SPIE Student Chapter of the University of Adelaide, brought science into focus this August with the 2025 AOC Scientific Photography Competition.

The competition invited participants of all ages and backgrounds to capture images that reveal everyday science, accompanied by short written pieces explaining what makes each photo remarkable. This year, the Chapter expanded the scope of the competition beyond the University community, opening submissions to students, professionals, and enthusiasts across South Australia. The result was strong participation, including contributions from regional and remote communities, all displayed in an exhibition on North Terrace on 28 August.

The event was organised by Admir Bajraktarevic and Jacob Charvetto, with support from the AOC team: Will Morrow, Pedro Sansoldo, Gabriel Britto Monteiro, Ane Kritzinger, Ramses Eduardo Bautista Gonzalez, Zane Quess Peterkovic, and Emi Cora Valmai Hughes. Additional volunteer help came from Mitchell Richardson, Georgia Bolingbroke, and Madison Simmonds from OzGrav.

The competition was made possible thanks to sponsorship from Inspiring South Australia, the ARC Training Centre for Current and Emergent Quantum Technologies (QuTech), the Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing (IPAS), the Centre of Light for Life (CLL), ANFF-Optofab Adelaide, ANFF-SA, and Lastek, in affiliation with National Science Week.

The Adelaide Optics Chapter Scientific Photography Competition invited participants to capture images of science in the world around them. The focus outcome of the event was to encourage those to develop science communication skills through a curiosity to look beyond everyday occurrences and phenomena, and accompany the submission with a scientific blurb of what makes the image exciting. These photos where then on display at an exhibition on North Terrace hosted by the Adelaide Optics Chapter on the 28th of August.

The photography competition was open to all students, professionals, or those simply interested by STEMM. This, alongside an accessible online submission, allowed for wider community participation that included regional and remote communities. By taking this approach, they aimed for young people to become engaged by science, often hidden and overlooked in the world around us. 

In previous years, their photography competition had been run by the chapter on a smaller scale, targeted at University HDR students. This had been successful in achieving overwhelming participation, and this year, they wished to open the competition to the broader South Australian community to foster increased awareness and appreciation of science and technology.

Building a Culture of Engagement

While many of the AOC members are part of the Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing, this event was very much a student-driven initiative. Their efforts reflect the strong culture of collaboration and enthusiasm within the Chapter, where students are not only advancing their research but also creating opportunities to share science with the wider community.

The 2025 competition highlights how accessible and creative science can be when presented through photography and storytelling. By encouraging participants to look closer at the natural and technological world, the Chapter fosters a curiosity that connects science with everyday life.

Prize Winners

IPAS Prize for Everyday Science in Action

• My spikes are much worse than my bite: unless you’re an insect – Kaitlin Turland (University of Adelaide student)

• Stinging greens – Emilia M. I. (Primary school student)

IPAS Prize for Written Science Communication

• Ear to the Ground Parrot (Kyloriny) – Joseph Jantke (University of Adelaide student)

• Botanical look-alikes – Hannes Griesser (Postdoctoral researcher)

IPAS People’s Choice Award

• Rainbow Veil – Elnaz Khazaie (PhD student, University of Adelaide)

• The drop that doesn’t quench – Joshua H. (High-school student)