Written by Dr Panos Sousounis

Senior Lecturer in Economics and BA (Economics and Social Studies) Programme Director

Student photography competitions can serve as a powerful medium to relate the abstract principles of economics to real-life scenarios, creating a bridge between theoretical knowledge and practical understanding.

Engaging with the subject matter through photography (or some other artistic means) not only enhances students’ grasp of economic concepts but also fosters creativity and critical thinking.

At the same time, having an element of ranking instils some much needed, healthy competition among students in preparation for graduate life.

Helping to evolve what we mean by ‘learning’

Using photography in teaching is by no means an innovation. A few others have done it, and we have long been entertaining the idea of using more creative approaches and accessible forms of art like photography in classes.

However, this competition was an attempt at engaging students with the material in a non-conventional way. It aimed to gauge the potential of using more creative and innovative methods to assess students’ understanding of basic economics concepts, especially in broad based degree programmes.

For our photo competition, EconLens: Capturing Economic Realities, we used a very broad theme to encourage wide participation, including from non-economics students and PGRs.

With the clue being given in the title, students were subtly prompted to think beyond their strict disciplinary, cultural, or personal confines about the various ‘economic realities’ that continuously exist and are lived by different people around us/them.

For any reader thinking of using photography as a T&L tool, more specific themes can be used to focus attention and learning on particular areas and/or topics.

In economics, for example, a long list of concepts could be used as themes, such as scarcity, choice, opportunity cost, supply and demand, trade, unemployment and market equilibrium. By seeking out real-world instances of these abstract ideas, students gain a tangible understanding of how economics operates in daily life.

Students learn to see beyond conventional graphs and data, understanding that economics also involves human stories, behaviours and environments. This creative approach can inspire innovative solutions to economic challenges, as students learn to view problems from multiple perspectives.

There’s more to it than just photography

Reflecting on the first EconLens photography competition, there are several aspects that stood out from conversations with participants as particularly rewarding.

• Using photography to capture economic concepts requires thinking outside the box and finding innovative ways to represent complex ideas visually. This challenge allows students to blend artistic expression with academic knowledge.
• The competition encouraged a deeper exploration of everyday environments to find and capture economic realities. This process of discovery was enlightening, revealing the often-unnoticed economic interactions that occur all around us.

As an organiser of this photography competition, one of the most enjoyable moments was witnessing the incredible creativity displayed by the students. Seeing how they interpret and visualise economic concepts through their unique perspectives was truly inspiring. Each photo tells a different story and provides a fresh outlook on familiar ideas, showcasing the diverse ways in which students can engage with and understand economics.

Organising the exhibition and awards ceremony has been another highlight. Providing a platform for students to showcase their work and be recognised for their efforts is incredibly fulfilling. Celebrating their achievements and seeing the pride and joy on their faces as they receive feedback and accolades from peers, faculty, and judges is a memorable experience.

Seeing the positive impact of the competition on students’ learning and engagement has inspired me to think about future initiatives. It has been exciting to consider how we can expand and improve the competition in the coming years, incorporating new themes, technologies, and methods to continue enhancing the student experience.

View photos of the winning entries and the final exhibition on the SoSS Instagram (taken by Ekaterina Vyurkova, Student Communications Coordinator for SoSS).