WIREDGOV

More than 850 young people from across the UK have captured how they see society for this year’s Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) photographic competition, ‘Focus on Society’.

This March the ESRC is delighted to host a unique public exhibition, in London, showcasing some of the very best in young British photography taken by 14-18 year olds.

Forty three amazing photos will be exhibited at the Espacio Gallery, in Shoreditch, from 8-13 March.
They include five categories 'Cradle to the grave'; 'There's no place like home'; 'Green and pleasant land'; 'From rags to riches'; and 'Variety is the spice of life', as well as this year’s overall winner, the judges’ favourites and those who have been highly commended.

Young people from a variety of backgrounds took part, using not only their cameras, but their mobile phones and tablets too capturing a wide range of subjects such as family, economy, politics, culture, health and sustainability.

The quality of this year’s entries was the “best ever” according to the judges, who include:

• ESRC Council Member Karin Woodley, Chief Executive of Cambridge House, a South London charity established in 1889 by Cambridge University to tackle poverty and social injustice
• Sophie Batterbury, Head of Pictures at The Independent, i and The Independent on Sunday newspapers
• Jacky Clake, the Head of Communications for ESRC
• Ollie Smallwood, a portrait and documentary photographer
• Jodie Krause an Art Foundation in Design and Media student who has won awards at the last two ESRC photographic competitions.

The public will have the opportunity to see this collection of inspiring and thought-provoking images at the Espacio Gallery, on Bethnal Green Road until 13 March.

Jacky Clake, Head of Communications for ESRC, said: “This is the third year we have run the ESRC photographic competition asking young people for their unique take on society and the social sciences.

“The quality keeps on getting higher and higher each year, it’s truly exceptional. We were delighted to see so many take part and submit photos which really encapsulate what society in Britain is all about.”
The winners of this year’s competition will be announced at a ceremony on 8 March, from 18.00 onwards.

In total £2,800 worth of awards will be handed out.

Further information

Follow us on Twitter via @ESRC or on Facebook, using #esrcphoto, for the live results.

Notes for editors

• The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) is the UK’s largest funder of research on the social and economic questions facing us today. It supports the development and training of the UK’s future social scientists and also funds major studies that provide the infrastructure for research. ESRC-funded research informs policymakers and practitioners and helps make businesses, voluntary bodies and other organisations more effective. The ESRC also works collaboratively with six other UK research councils and Innovate UK to fund cross-disciplinary research and innovation addressing major societal challenges. The ESRC is an independent organisation, established by Royal Charter in 1965, and funded mainly by the Government.