My educational journey at the University of Northampton (UON) has been a long and fulfilling one. I began with a BA in Business Entrepreneurship and Management, followed by an MSc in International Marketing Strategy. I am now pursuing a PhD focused on the Adoption of Responsible Human-Centred Artificial Intelligence (AI) in UK and Maltese Agriculture. My research explores the perspectives of agricultural professionals on adopting AI technologies and responsible AI practices.

Recently, I entered the Images of Research (IOR) 2025 competition. Although my research is rooted in the social and business aspects of AI adoption in agriculture, translating those concepts into a single, accessible visual image was a unique and creative challenge. The competition brief invited participants to design a distinctive image (whether a painting or photograph) that artistically captured the essence of their research, along with an engaging title and a 150-word summary.

The Graduate School provided clear guidance, including a rules and guidelines document and examples of previous entries. Lina was also incredibly helpful in answering any queries I had throughout the process.

This year’s competition featured 11 submissions and included two awards: the People’s Choice (won by Clare Moss) and the Judges’ Choice, which, to my surprise and delight, was awarded to me. I had entered with no expectations, only a desire to gain experience and learn from the process. I never imagined I would be selected as the judges’ winner.

Creating my IOR image gave me a chance to express my research visually, in a way I hadn’t done before. I used a photograph of a vibrant Maltese pomegranate field as the backdrop, rich in colour and symbolic of tradition and cultivation. The image is split into two halves, like a visual balance scale. On the left stands a traditional Maltese farmer, seated on his tractor with his dog by his side, a warm, human moment that reflects the heritage and hands-on nature of conventional farming. On the right, in contrast, is a more modern Maltese field featuring an AI-powered irrigation device, symbolising the forward-looking potential of smart agriculture.

The image invites the viewer to consider how tradition and innovation can coexist. I aimed to keep the composition simple yet meaningful, ensuring that anyone, regardless of academic background, could grasp the essence of my research at a glance.

To my fellow PGRs: I wholeheartedly encourage you to take part in opportunities like this. Events run by the Graduate School are fantastic for expanding your research visibility, building your confidence, and connecting with others in the PGR community. Even if you don’t win, the experience itself is invaluable. You never know what you’re capable of until you try.

Finally, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to my supervisory team: Associate Professor Dr Tatiana Gherman (First Supervisor), Dr James Mshelia (Second Supervisor), and Dr Nadeem Aftab (Director of Studies). Their guidance and encouragement have been instrumental throughout my PhD journey so far.

Blog post by: Henrietta Farrugia