Every year, HEAL National Research Network invites researchers, PhD candidates, affiliates and community members to share their creative perspectives on healthy environments through the HEAL Photo Competition.
Upcoming 2026 Competition
As part of the lead-up to the HEAL 2026 Conference, the HEAL 2026 Photo Competition invites the HEAL community to showcase original photographs that highlight healthy environments through creativity and research. Images should inspire reflection, discussion and positive action, with winning entries featured in HEAL publications and promotional activities.
The three chosen winners will receive $100 each.
Submissions are due by 5pm AEDT 9 October 2026
Past competitions
HEAL 2025 Competition
Held in the lead-up to the HEAL 2025 Conference, the competition explored the conference theme, “Weaving diverse knowledges into climate action for better health”. Entrants were encouraged to submit original photographs that connected with one or more of HEAL’s research themes and sparked reflection, discussion and action.
The competition received a range of creative perspectives showcasing the connections between health, people and our environments. The winning and selected photographs are featured below.
Competition themes
Entries explored one or more of HEAL’s research themes, including:
- Indigenous Knowledge Systems
- Data and Decision Support Systems
- Science Communication
- Health Systems Resilience and Sustainability
- Bushfires, Air Pollution and Extreme Weather Events
- Food, Soil and Water Security
- Biosecurity and Emerging Infections
- Urban Health and Built Environment
- Rural and Remote Health
- At-risk Populations and Life Course Solutions
HEAL 2025 Photo Competition Winners
“Photographed by Tom Swan in Alexishafen, Madang, Papua New Guinea”
Anna Gjedrem
Titled: “Smoke and Ice”
The photo was taken in Norway, where local farmers are burning heathland for food production purposes, which also helps restore the threatened landscape type known as ‘Calluna heathland.’ Anna captured this photo during her PhD research on fire disaster prevention in Norway, in early spring, when snow and ice were still present in the landscape”
Titled: “Open 24 hours”
