OVERVIEW

The Image‑Maker in Residence is an online visual‑publication programme that brings together sociology and creative visual or media arts. Applicants (individuals or collectives) are invited to explore or amplify how social research and social issues might be communicated or visualised in innovative ways. The selected work is published online (via the journal’s website and Instagram account) over a period of six to nine weeks. For the 2026 round, there will be four online residencies.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

• Practitioners whose work includes a visual element (which may span photography, video, illustration, collage, textile, installation, map‑work, zines, GIFs, digital + physical media) are welcome.
• You do not have to be a sociologist; the programme explicitly welcomes creative individuals or collectives working around social issues (e.g., identity, migration, environment, urban space, power, disability).
• The programme emphasises diversity and inclusion: it particularly invites applications from historically under‑represented groups (emerging artists, early‑career researchers, practitioners from the Global South, people with disabilities, etc.).

APPLICATION PROCESS

• Applicants complete an online application form.
• Required materials:
  • Residency Statement (up to about 300 words) – describing your practice/project.
  • Work Sample (single PDF up to 100 MB) – showing past work or proposed visual project.
• Selection is based on: merit of the visual work, its relation to social research or social issues, and how it aligns with the programme’s diversity and inclusion commitments.

BENEFITS

• This is a paid commission (honorarium) for selected Image‑Makers.For 2026: 
• Self‑funded / early‑career individuals (single‑person) will receive £500.
• Self‑funded / early‑career individuals in a group (up to 3 people) will receive £250 each.
• Established academics (with permanent positions) will receive £100.

Deadline for applications: 12 midday (GMT/UTC) on Wednesday 17 December 2025.