We are pleased to reveal the winning entries of the 2025 Belmont Forum Photo Competition! This year, our participants captured not just stunning visuals but also powerful stories that highlight the work being done in global change research. Join us in celebrating these talented photographers and the impactful narratives behind their images.
First Place: “Co-Creation of Sustainable Food Supply Chains Through Cooperative Business Models and Governance (CO-SFSC)” by Aylin Topal (SSCP 2022 CRA)
Aylin Topal’s touching photograph from the CO-SFSC project transports us to the historic Yedikule Urban Gardens in Istanbul. These ancient bostans (urban gardens), thriving since the 5th century, have long fed the city. However, the image reveals a modern reality: a newly constructed road slices through the fertile land, and a sports complex encroaches on this fragile heritage. The research team, captured gazing through a construction fence with expressions of concern and resolve, embodies the tension between sustainability and urban expansion. This powerful image reminds us of the sensitive future of sustainable urban agriculture, collective memory, and local food sovereignty.
Second Place: “Colima Honeys, Palynological Characterization and Production Alternatives” by Christian Carolina Gallegos Magaña
Christian Carolina Gallegos Magaña’s captivating photo presents a close-up look at a beehive of Scaptotrigona hellwegeri, a stingless bee native to Mexico and Central America. The image beautifully showcases the first layer of the honeycomb with the queen bee surrounded by developing brood. We also see a spot of honey, a discovered pot full of honey, and propolis adhering to the box edges. This photo tells the story of the “Mieles de Colima” project, where experts such as Professor Elvira Silva explain the unique characteristics and ecological importance of these bees. Through training and outreach, the project promotes sustainable meliponiculture, inviting care and preservation of these essential pollinators for biodiversity.
Third Place: “UCOL Biology Students and Outreach Personnel Returning After Harvesting Honey” by Carlos Luis Leopardi Verde
Carlos Luis Leopardi Verde’s photograph captures a moment of triumphant return: Biology Bachelor’s degree students and outreach staff, clad in protective suits, making their way back after collecting honey at an apiary within a coconut plantation. They carry bags with pieces of honeycomb and a Falcon tube with a sample, tangible evidence of their fieldwork. This image highlights the collaborative efforts of the “Mieles de Colima” project, involving multiple field trips to collect plants for a pure pollen library, honey for melissopalynological analysis, and important discussions with producers about their challenges and the value of scientific analysis. It’s a snapshot of dedication to understanding and supporting local honey production.
A huge congratulations to our winners and a sincere thank you to everyone who participated and voted in this year’s competition! Your contributions help us tell the story of global change research in compelling and accessible ways.