LIDC puts Global Development in The Picture

March 12, 2018

After much deliberation, the winners of the London International Development Centre’s (LIDC) global development photography competition have been announced.

Kevin Queenan, a research assistant from the Royal Veterinary College, was awarded first place for his striking image of a Maasai Moran at a slaughter slab.

Now in its second year, the ‘Lens on Development’ competition is open to all students, staff and alumni of LIDC’s member colleges. This year’s theme was global development challenges.

The winner and two runners up were announced at an awards ceremony on Friday 9 March. Laura Stahnke who studied at SOAS University, was awarded second place for her image of a young woman horse racing by Song KUL Lake, Kyrgyzstan. Third place went to UCL student Eva Mellou, for her image of a young boy in Ghana.

The judging panel included Bartek Dziadosz from filmmakers, the Derek Jarman Lab and LIDC’s Director, Professor Claire Heffernan. Bartek Dziadosz said: “The standard of entries was very high so the judging panel gave careful consideration to the quality of each image and the stories they told. We chose Kevin’s photograph because it combines a strong narrative with striking and powerful imagery. We liked the detail and colour on the man’s clothing and accessories, and the overall quality of the image.”

Kevin, who took first place, said: “I’m thrilled to have won first place in LIDC’s competition. I took the photo during my MSc One Health research project in Ngorongoro, Tanzania. Market day starts early in Malambo, with slaughter of small livestock, followed by meat inspection before preparation and cooking for sale to market visitors.

“Livestock are otherwise sold as live animals to fellow livestock keepers or to agents. The latter will herd or truck them to the abattoirs and butchers in larger cities like Arusha. The lack of such facilities locally reduces the options of sale for livestock keepers, with a large cut of the profits going to the agents and butchers supplying the more lucrative urban markets.”

The London International Development Centre is the leading community of international development researchers, addressing global development issues through interdisciplinary research.

The Derek Jarman Lab is the media hub at Birkbeck which offers filmmaking training, support and facilities to its postgraduate students. Visit www.jarmanlab.org for more information.