Nature's 2026 Scientist At Work Photo Competition Winners Announced
Nature has revealed the victors of its 2026 Scientist At Work photography contest, showcasing five striking images of scientists in various settings. The top honor went to student Gunnar Hartmann for his photograph of the Waldrappteam, an Austrian conservation organization that guides hand-raised ibises from Germany to Spain using ultralight aircraft. Hartmann, who is pursuing his undergraduate studies at the University of Koblenz, became part of the team in 2024. This initiative, which began in 2004, spans 2,800 km over 50 days each year. Other notable entries include Uli Kunz's underwater shot of researchers Nauras Daraghmeh and Yusuf El-Khaled at King Abdullah University in Thuwal, Saudi Arabia, and more. Each winner is awarded £500 and featured in Nature.
Key facts
- Gunnar Hartmann won overall for his photo of the Waldrappteam.
- The Waldrappteam is an Austrian conservation group reintroducing ibises in Europe.
- Hartmann is a science undergraduate at the University of Koblenz.
- The project travels 2,800 km over 50 days from Germany to Spain.
- Uli Kunz photographed researchers installing a coral incubation chamber in Saudi Arabia.
- Robert Harcourt captured Michael Doane sampling a whale shark in Australia.
- Haolun (Allen) Tian photographed algal blooms on Dog Lake, Ontario.
- Shayanta Chowdhury photographed entomologist Lee Haines studying a mosquito under UV light.
Entities
Artists
- Gunnar Hartmann
- Uli Kunz
- Nauras Daraghmeh
- Yusuf El-Khaled
- Robert Harcourt
- Michael Doane
- Haolun (Allen) Tian
- Kelly Estrada Piedrahita
- Shirley French
- Shayanta Chowdhury
- Lee Haines
Institutions
- Nature
- Waldrappteam
- University of Koblenz
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology
- Macquarie University
- Queen's University
- University of Notre Dame
Locations
- Austria
- Europe
- Germany
- Spain
- Thuwal
- Saudi Arabia
- Australia
- Dog Lake
- Ontario
- Canada
- Kingston
- Indiana
- United States