Introduction

Data curators at the UC San Diego Library have the privilege of working with university researchers from a wide range of scientific disciplines as they prepare data for the Library's Research Data Collections repository. The visually stunning nature of some of these data sets inspired the Library to launch its annual Art of Science contest, a program that celebrates and brings awareness to the beauty that can emerge from scientific exploration.

Each year, the Library invites UC San Diego students, faculty and postdoctoral researchers, and project scientists to submit images, illustrations, or graphics related to their work to the contest. Along with the artwork, each researcher is tasked with creating a descriptive caption that explains their work in a way that is both engaging and accessible to non-scientists.

The artwork in this digital exhibit represents the winning submissions from the 2021, 2022, and 2023 Art of Science Contests. In 2022 and 2023, award winning images were exhibited at the San Diego Natural History Museum.

If you would like to learn more about the Art of Science Contest, visit lib.ucsd.edu/artofscience.