We’re thrilled to share that Dried Fish Matters researcher Mohammad Anas Shoebullah Khan has been recognized with three awards in the University of Winnipeg’s 2025 Research in Focus photography competition. His compelling images, drawn from his fieldwork in Valsad – Gujarat, India, bring attention to the social economy and human rights dimensions of the dried fish economy.
Research in Focus is an annual photo competition hosted by the University of Winnipeg’s Research Office. It invites researchers to creatively showcase the impact, beauty, and meaning behind their research through powerful visuals and storytelling. The competition highlights the diverse range of research taking place at UWinnipeg and offers a platform for both faculty and students to engage wider audiences through their photographs.
Anas recently completed his Master’s in Environmental and Social Change (MESC) at the University of Winnipeg. His research, supported by the Dried Fish Matters project. This year, Anas’ work stood out among many strong entries, earning him one winning award and two runner-up recognitions across different categories. His photographs not only reflect the visual beauty of his field sites but also critically engage with questions of labour, tradition, and human rights in the Valsad’s dried fish economy. Here’s a closer look at the images that earned him this well-deserved recognition:
Category: Community Catalysts – Winner
Title: Dried Fish For Life! Description: This photo shows dried fish in a bamboo basket in an Adivasi household in Gujarat, India. For the Adivasis, dried fish holds cultural value especially during ‘Panchora’ ceremony, where a newborn is named by the village midwife. A feast with dried fish follows, symbolizing its role in celebrating new life.
Category: Faces of Discovery – Runner-Up
Title: Strings of Sight: Seeing Life Through Fish Drying Racks
Description: This photo shows a fishworker drying fish under the sun in Nargol, Gujarat, India. During peak fishing season, they spend 8-10 hours in the fish drying yards. My research examines human rights issues in their daily struggles as they navigate life between the fish drying racks.
Category: Framing Fieldwork – Runner-Up
Title: Beyond the Boat: All Hands Off Deck
Description: This photo depicts fishworkers in Nargol, India, unloading the day’s catch from a boat. They are not part of the fishing crew but are solely responsible for unloading once the boat docks. My research examines the human rights challenges affecting the lives and livelihoods of post-harvest fishworkers.
These awards not only celebrate Anas’ photographic talent but also amplify the social economy approach of Dried Fish Matters. His work exemplifies how visual storytelling can deepen our understanding of the socio-cultural and economic dimensions of small-scale fisheries value chains.
You can explore all the winning entries from the 2025 Research in Focus competition here:
Research in Focus 2025 Winners
Congratulations, Anas, on this well-deserved recognition!