Art of Imagery: Research Transformed

Important dates

The 2025 SGPS Research Showcase will be held on Wednesday, November 26 in Charles Hall on Ontario Tech's downtown campus (61 Charles Street, Oshawa). The Art of Imagery: Research Transformed showcase will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., with set-up beginning at 11 a.m.

Date	Event
Friday, September 19	Applications Open
Friday, October 17	Applications Close
Wednesday, October 29	Applicant selection completed
Friday, November 21	Electronic submission of Art of Imagery
Wednesday, November 26	Art of Imagery: Research Transformed Time: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m (Set-up will begin at 11 a.m., tear down to follow at the end of the event at 1:15 p.m.) Location: Charles Hall (61 Charles Street, Oshawa)

Eligibility

To participate in the Art of Imagery: Research Transformed Showcase, students must meet the eligibility criteria outlined below:

• At the time of the showcase, students must be registered in a master's or PhD program or be a current postdoctoral fellow and must have made substantial progress on their research and analysis. Students in programs with a major research project, paper or portfolio may participate. Course-based master's students may submit a poster or Art of Imagery based on work/paper completed in a graduate level course
• Clear Standing: Students who wish to participate in the showcase are required to maintain a minimum grade of B-minus (GPA: 2.7) in all graded components of the program as well as satisfactory research progress in programs with a thesis, project or major paper.
• PhD and master's students who have defended or submitted their project, paper, or portfolio, but have not yet convocated, are eligible to participate. Additionally, master's students who have convocated and continued on to a PhD program, as well as PhD graduates pursuing post-doctoral research, are also eligible, provided their Art of Imagery reflects their progress and ongoing research since their defense.
• All content must be submitted by the specified deadline. Late submissions will not be accepted.
• Each student is allowed to present only one image at the event.

Rules 

• Participants must set up their art medium at the designated time before the event starts and take them down promptly at the end of the event.
• They should include blurb with a title, and small description of their imagery.
• Participants must be present at their art medium for the entire duration of the imagery session to answer questions and discuss their research.
• Participants should always engage with attendees professionally and respectfully.
• Imagery will be judged based on clarity, originality, research quality, visual appeal, and the ability to answer questions effectively.
• By participating, students agree to allow the university to use photos and descriptions of their posters for promotional purposes.
• Imagery should focus on academic research and should not include commercial advertising or promotion of products/services.
• A winner will be announced at the end of the event, with a prize awarded for Best Overall ($1000).

 

Judging criteria

Prizes will be awarded across four different areas:

• Artistic quality of the submission
• Creativity of the submission 
• Meaningful connection between the artwork and the student's research

A 'Best Overall' award will also be given at a value of $1000

Judges' profiles

This year, we are pleased to welcome the following individual(s) as our guest judge(s) for this competition:

Joe Stokes, PhD Dr. Joe Stokes is the University Registrar and AVP International at Ontario Tech University. He has held leadership positions including Interim Dean, AVP and Director. Joe is an award winning professor and currently teaches in the Faculty of Education at Ontario Tech University, as well as being an associate faculty member at Western University in London, Ontario and Royal Roads University in Victoria, BC. Joe’s portfolio includes the leadership of strategic enrollment management, including domestic and international admissions & recruitment, student awards, financial aid, records, registration, scheduling, convocation, university-wide student communication, and Ontario Tech international. He is the past Chair of the Ontario Universities’ Council on Admission, the Ontario University Registrars’ Association, and has led work across the post-secondary sector on internationalization, governance, strategic enrollment management, and student retention and student success. Dr. Stokes’ research interests includes International student mobility, strategic enrollment management, leadership psychology, and higher education policy and governance. In the last five years, Joe has lead groups that have attracted over $1.4 million in research and project funding. This includes leading the creation of Ontario’s international study brand, and the development of a competitive internationalization data dashboard for the province’s post-secondary system. His most recent publications focus on international student mobility in the post-pandemic era, and strategic enrollment management in a time of global disruption.

Hannah Keating Hannah Keating is an Associate Curator at The Robert McLaughlin Gallery where she coordinates the RBC Emerging Artist Residency program, curates exhibitions and public programs, and works with community partners. She holds a bachelors and masters degree in Art History from Carleton University, and has previously worked at Artspace, the Winnipeg Art Gallery, the University of Manitoba School of Art Gallery, and the Art Gallery of Peterborough. She is curious about relationships of all kinds and passionate about supporting artists.

FAQs

1. What are the allowed dimensions of the poster?
The recommended poster dimensions are 11” wide x 14” tall, and a file size smaller than 12 MB for electronic submissions.

2. Who can participate in the SGPS Research Showcase?
The SGPS Research Poster Showcase is open to all Ontario Tech graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, including those in both research-based and course-based programs. This event provides a platform for students from all disciplines to showcase their academic projects, research, or key insights.

3. When are applications accepted until and what if I miss the application deadline?
Applications will be accepted until October 17. Please submit your application by this date to be considered for the event. Unfortunately, late applications cannot be accepted due to the need for planning and logistics. We encourage you to apply as early as possible to ensure your participation.

4. Is there an award for the top posters?
Yes, an award will be given to the top overall based on various criteria. Details on the award categories and prizes will be provided closer to the event.

5. What if I am in a course-based master’s program?
Students in course-based programs are welcome to participate! Whether you have completed a capstone project, case study, or another academic project, this is an opportunity to present your work alongside research-based students.

6. Can I invite friends and family to the event?
Yes, the event is open to the public, and we encourage participants to invite friends, family, and colleagues to attend and support their presentations.

7. Are there any specific software recommendations for creating my poster?
There is no specific software required, but many participants use PowerPoint, Adobe Illustrator, or Canva to design their posters. Ensure that your final poster is exported as a high-resolution PDF to maintain the quality when printed.

8. Do I need to print my own poster, or will the university provide printing services?
Participants are responsible for printing their own posters. 

9. What is the format of the event?
The SGPS Research Showcase is an in-person event. Participants will stand beside their posters/imagery during the session, answer questions, and engage with attendees. 

10. Can I attend the event even if I’m not presenting?
Yes, the SGPS Research Showcase is open to everyone, including students, faculty, and members of the public who are not presenting. It is a great opportunity to learn about the exciting research and academic projects happening across the university.

11. How can I prepare to present?
We recommend rehearsing your presentation ahead of time to ensure you are comfortable explaining your work concisely and clearly. Consider practicing with colleagues or supervisors and be prepared to answer questions about your methods, findings, and the broader implications of your work.

12. What should I wear to the SGPS Research Showcase?
Business casual attire is recommended for the event. Presenters should aim to appear professional, as they will be engaging with judges, faculty members, and other attendees.

Submit your application!

We invite you to join us for the SGPS Research Showcase and take advantage of this unique opportunity to showcase your research and/or academic achievements and ideas.

APPLY here

Please Note: Submitting an application does not guarantee participation in the SGPS Research Showcase. Depending on the number of applications received, participants may be selected to ensure balanced representation across all faculties. We appreciate your understanding as we work to curate a diverse and equitable list of participants.