CC by SA 3.0, Jens Mohr
Peculiarities of organizing the Wiki Science Competition in Ukraine: challenges and prospects
Nataliia Lastovets / EleNte
Wikimedia Ukraine
Promoting Science Through Visual Storytelling
The Wiki Science Competition in Ukraine is part of an international initiative to promote scientific knowledge through compelling visual representation. Since its national debut in 2015, the competition has evolved significantly, adapting to changing circumstances while fostering the open dissemination of scientific work.
Global Initiative
Part of a worldwide effort to make science accessible.
Visual Focus
Emphasises the power of imagery in science communication.
Open Knowledge
Fosters open educational and scientific resources.
Key Milestones: 2015 to 2024
2015: Inaugural Edition
Competition made its debut, introducing innovative science communication through photography.
2019: Seven Categories
Included Astronomy and Collages, later removed to streamline the competition.
2020: Pandemic Adaptation
Shifted to a digital-friendly format with remote communication and online resources.
2022-2023: War Adaptation
Introduced a category for images depicting the impact of war.
2024: Refined Regulations
Prohibited sensitive images to ensure national security, enhancing participant responsibility.
In 2019, the Wiki Science Competition in Ukraine reached a high point regarding thematic scope. For the first and only time, it included seven categories—among them "Astronomy" and "Collages."
Pandemic Adjustments (2020)
The COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing war in Ukraine significantly impacted the competition's format and logistics, leading to innovative adaptations to ensure continuity and relevance.
Standard Categories for Scientific Submissions
People in Science
Capturing scientists at work and their contributions.
Microscopy
Images obtained through various microscopic techniques.
Living Organisms
Depicting flora, fauna, and biological processes.
Non-Photographic Media
Visualisations, diagrams, and other scientific graphics.
General Category
Encompassing all other scientific visuals.
Wartime Challenges (2022-2024)
In 2022, the community was asked whether to hold the competition during the war. Most respondents supported it. This democratic approach emphasized WSC’s social importance and confirmed that documenting science under pressure was more needed than ever.
Priorities
In 2023, a special award category was introduced to acknowledge the profound effects of the war in Ukraine on the scientific community and its infrastructure. This initiative contributes to collective memory and resilience.
Damaged Infrastructure
Images depicting destroyed research facilities and equipment.
Evacuated Laboratories
Visuals of relocated scientific equipment and archives.
Memorials to Scientists
Tributes and memorials for fallen members of the scientific community.
The 2024 regulations now explicitly prohibit images revealing sensitive information, balancing transparency with national security.
Kharkivian (Serhii Petrov). From Wikimedia Commons. License CC BY-SA 4.0.
Winners' award ceremony 2024
On Saturday, March 29, 2025, for the first time since 2019, the 2024 winners' award ceremony took place. The venue for the ceremony was provided by the State University "Kyiv Aviation Institute".
Ірина Бойко, CC0
Jury Evaluation Criteria
Licensing Requirements
All submissions must be licensed under CC BY-SA, ensuring that content is freely available for reuse with proper attribution worldwide. This fosters broad access to Ukrainian scientific visual content.
Licensing and Evaluation for Global Impact
All submissions are licensed under CC BY-SA, promoting free reuse and global dissemination. An independent jury assesses entries based on four key criteria, ensuring quality and utility for Wikimedia projects.
Expanding the Competition's Reach and Impact
Academic Integration
Institutionalisation through academic platforms and curricula.
Museum Partnerships
Collaborations to showcase scientific photography.
University Engagement
Working with universities to promote participation and education.
Educational Components
Incorporating learning modules on science communication.
The Wiki Science Competition in Ukraine transcends a mere gallery of scientific imagery; it serves as a dynamic chronicle of contemporary science, merging visual documentation, public engagement, and cultural memory.
This initiative illustrates how science can remain visible, relevant, and resilient, even in the face of significant challenges. It continues to foster open scientific discourse and contribute to global knowledge.
Q&A