Photo contest

The annual Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability photo contest showcases the vibrant perspectives and experiences of our community, from research and collaborations in the lab to the wonders of nature big and small. With hundreds of submissions each year, the contest brings together stories and artistry from across the university.

Submissions for 2026 are now closed. Stay tuned in early 2027 to enter next year's contest.

Browse the 2026 winners

2026 photo contest winners

Inside of a giant clam with vibrant aqua and green hues highlighted by yellow lines in wavy patterns
A giant clam seen while snorkeling in Palau. The collaborative relationship between these clams and the algae that live in their tissues adds color, texture, graphic intrigue, and biological advantage. By Joel Simon. First place, beauty in nature category
Person in snow gear walks across an icy white landscape. Research equipment set up on the ground nearby
Graduate student Danny May deploys a radar array on Slakbreen glacier to image the ice below. By Annie Cheng. First place, research in action category.
Rainbow arcs across a grey sky over a green field. A fence and horse at left. A round dwelling and solar panels at right
A full rainbow arcs over the Mongolian steppe after a hailstorm, framing a ger, a grazing horse, and solar panels. By Anu Tsogtbaatar. First place, sustainability in focus category
Two puffins next to each other at the bottom of the frame. Waves and black sand meet to form a coastline behind them
Two Atlantic puffins perch on a grassy cliff at the Dyrhólaey Peninsula, overlooking the ocean and the iconic black sand beaches of Iceland’s South Coast. By Emily Cheng. Second place, beauty in nature category
Two tall, round hills stretch to the blue sky. Beneath them, two people push a small boat through water
Near the iconic Mavecure hills in Colombia, two fishermen head upstream. Fishing is how the Indigenous communities in Guainía support their livelihoods and preserve peatlands. By Sergio Sánchez. Second place, research in action category
Vibrant blue pools stretch across a desert landscape with red and orange plateaus
The vibrant solar evaporation ponds near Moab, Utah are used to draw potassium chloride from reservoirs deep underground. The large-scale system yields potash, a valuable fertilizer. By Rahsaan McFarland II. Second place, sustainability in focus category
A raven gazes to the right, standing on a mossy branch that stretches diagonally across the frame. Forest in background
In the foggy forests of El Corte de Madera Creek Preserve, a curious raven pauses to inspect the photographer just before hopping down for a closer look. By Nikolai Gates Vetr. Third place, beauty in nature category
Gold and purple orbs glow in a circle formation with a deep blue star shape behind them
Star tunicates are marine colonial organisms that regenerate their bodies in weekly cycles driven by stem cells. This photo highlights regeneration in progress, with newly developing buds glowing gold as they replace adult zooids stained blue. By Tom Levy
Dozens of silver sardines swimming in the same direction against dark blue water
A school of Pacific sardines swims in unison in Hokkaido, Japan. Large sardine schools are an important part of ocean biodiversity and marine food webs. By Henry Kwok. Third place, sustainability in focus category

Revisit all photo contest winners