Trieste, Italy / São Paulo, Brazil – 18 August 2025 – The World Academy of Sciences for the advancement of science in developing countries (TWAS) and the Conrado Wessel Foundation (FCW) have joined forces to launch a pioneering international science photography award: Through Southern Lenses: Science in Focus. This groundbreaking initiative aims to celebrate scientific excellence in the developing world through the lens of photography.
TWAS is a programme unit of UNESCO, dedicated to supporting scientific capacity and excellence in the global South. The Conrado Wessel Foundation promotes art, culture, and science through awards granted to individuals and institutions that excel in their fields.
Set to launch its inaugural edition in 2025, the award will spotlight scientific achievements, challenges, and human stories emerging from developing countries—all UNESCO Member States—using photography as a dynamic tool for science communication.
“This initiative recognizes photography as a powerful medium that can inspire public interest and engagement in science, while also strengthening the connection between science and society through compelling and accessible narratives,” said Marcelo Knobel, TWAS Executive Director.
Carlos Vogt, CEO of the Conrado Wessel Foundation, emphasized the importance of the collaboration: “This award is not just about capturing images; it’s about revealing the soul of science in the global South—its beauty, urgency, and transformative potential. We are proud to help bridge the worlds of art and science, fostering a culture of curiosity and engagement.”
About the Award
The Through Southern Lenses: Science in Focus award is more than a photography competition—it is a platform for visual storytelling that transcends language and cultural barriers. In an era of rapid scientific advancement and escalating global challenges, photography offers a unique way to bring science closer to the public.
The initiative will annually reward a USD 20,000 prize to the best Photo-Essay, composed of 10 original images, which best represent the year’s theme. In the case of group submissions, the prize will be awarded to a designated representative.
The inaugural theme, Glaciers and Deserts, invites photographers to explore the visible impacts of climate change—from melting glaciers to expanding deserts—and highlight the resilience and adaptation of ecosystems and communities in developing countries. The award website, featuring full rules, a schedule, and an entry form, will be launched soon.
Objectives
- Promote visual storytelling as a tool for science communication.
- Inspire public engagement and interest in science, especially in developing nations.
- Strengthen the relationship between science and society through accessible narratives.
- Provide international visibility to the work of scientists and artists in the global South
Eligibility and Guidelines
- Open to individuals or groups (authorship must be clearly declared) from the global South.
- Each Photo-Essay must include 10 original photographs.
- AI-generated content will not be accepted.
- Finalists will be required to confirm authorship.
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About TWAS
For over 40 years, The World Academy of Sciences for the advancement of science in developing countries (TWAS) has been a leading force in developing crucial scientific capability in the global South. A global science academy founded in 1983 in Trieste, Italy, TWAS supports sustainable prosperity through research, education, policy, and diplomacy. With its partners, TWAS has graduated over 1,230 PhDs and awarded more than 2,300 postdoctoral fellowships to developing world scientists. The Academy also bestowed over 1,200 prizes, awarded over 2,800 research grants, trained over 750 individuals in science diplomacy, and supported over 1,400 exchange visits. TWAS is a programme unit of UNESCO.
About the Conrado Wessel Foundation (FCW)
The Conrado Wessel Foundation (FCW) supports charitable, cultural, artistic, and scientific initiatives in Brazil. Since 2002, FCW has awarded the prestigious FCW Prize to individuals and organizations of national distinction in various fields. The Foundation also hosts the annual FCW Photography Prize, which celebrates the work of outstanding Brazilian photographers.
Media Contact:
FCW: Heitor Shimizu, heitor.shimizu@gmail.com; and Ana Paula Morales, ana.morales@abori.com.br, Communications Division
TWAS: Cristina Serra, Staff Writer, cserra@twas.org; and Sean Treacy, Staff Writer, streacy@twas.org, TWAS Public Information Unit