Sounds of Research

Sounds of Research is a research competition open to current graduate students and postdoctoral scholars at the Â鶹ÊÓƵ. Researchers from all disciplines are challenged to capture the essence of their research through sound.

Finalists will be chosen by a multidisciplinary jury, with awards for first, second, third and honourable mention. Finalist entries will be featured in the Sound Studies Institute’s and preserved in the Â鶹ÊÓƵ Library’s as part of a permanent digital sound gallery collection.

The 2025 Sounds of Research competition is a pilot initiative supported by a Teaching and Learning Enhancement Fund (TLEF) Innovation Grant. Participants will gain opportunities to communicate about their research in creative and non-traditional ways and develop valuable new skills.

Sounds of Research is organized by the (UAL), and the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies (GPS).

Submit your sound of research

Complete the submission form and upload your audio content by Nov. 16 at 11:59 p.m.

Timeline
  • Submissions open Oct. 10 at 5 p.m.
  • Submissions close Nov. 16 at 11:59 p.m.
  • Judging takes place from Nov. 20-27
  • Semifinalists/winners will be notified by email, on or before Dec. 4
  • Exhibition opens Jan. 5, 2026
  • Exhibition celebration takes place Jan. 8 from 4 - 6 p.m. at the Sound Studies Institute (Arts 3-47)
  • Exhibition closes Jan. 23
Competition Rules
Read the complete .
Submission Requirements

Technical Requirements

  • Maximum duration of 5 minutes

  • Format: .wav, 44.1–48 kHz sampling rate / 16–24 bit depth

  • Up to 8 channels (a stereo version is required selected as a semi-finalist)

  • Any sound elements (music, speech, environment, etc.) are welcome

  • Submission must comply with the Framework for Responsible and Ethical Use of AI at the Â鶹ÊÓƵ, including transparent disclosure and copyright responsibility

Written

  • Each submission must include a title and a short description (max. 1,200 characters) explaining how the entry relates to your research. Descriptions should be written in plain language and will be judged alongside the audio recording

  • For collaborative projects, all collaborators must be listed

Audio Skills Workshops

Want to fine-tune your sound manipulation skills before entering Sounds of Research? Join us for hands-on workshops designed to help you create your submission:

  • Oct. 15 | 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. | 
  • Oct. 23 | 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. | 
  • Oct. 28 | 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | 

All graduate students are welcome — no prior audio experience required. Completion of these workshops can contribute to the GPS Professional Development Requirement.

Adjudication

Submissions will be evaluated based on:

  • Originality, creativity and aesthetic appeal (30%)
  • Relationship between sound and the student’s research/scholarly/creative work (30%)
  • Effective and appropriate use of the sonic medium (25%) 
  • Effectiveness of artist’s statement (15%) 
Judges

To be confirmed.

Prizes

Judges will select awards for first, second, third and honourable mention. 

There will be four (4) prizes consisting of:

  1. One (1) 1st place prize of $1,000 CAD;
  2. one (1) 2nd place prize of $800 CAD;
  3. one (1) 3rd place prize of $600 CAD; and
  4. one (1) Honourable Mention prize of $300 CAD.

Contact Us

Send questions about the Sounds of Research competition to:

Sean Luyk
Digital Curation Librarian  
Email: luyk@ualberta.ca