The SFPE Greater London Student Chapter is excited to announce the 2026 Edition of Flash Points!
About Flash Points
We know there is a lot of fascinating fire safety research being done in universities across the UK and Europe, but this research is rarely shared effectively with other institutions or with the wider industry. When it is shared, it is often complex, difficult to digest, and only available in dry academic papers. For this reason, we invite you to take part in FLASH POINTS: a science communication competition for students studying fire across the UK and Europe.
Students participating in the competition will present their research to the general public in short and engaging videos. With this competition we want to promote the diversity and talent of students and researchers in the fire safety community, and reward excellence. We also believe this initiative will help to connect the fire safety community, and help strengthen the network between students, academics, and industry.
Competition Rules – 2026 Edition
The competition is open to all students (undergraduate or postgraduate) or early career researcher (pre-doctoral) over the age of 18 studying at a UK or Europe based University, or those who have graduated from a UK or Europe University within the last 12 months. Students may enter individually or as a team (see full terms and conditions below).
Students should submit a 3-minute original video summarising a piece of research in the field of fire science or fire engineering. This could include presenting the student’s own experiments or computer models, or an original review of research from other groups. The video should summarise the context, methodology, and results of the research, why it matters, and what impact it will have on society. The talk should be aimed at the general public, not experts or research peers.
The video should be uploaded to YouTube following these simple steps:
- Sign in to YouTube.
- At the top right, select Create a video or post
- Select the file you’d like to upload.
- Send a link to the video at sfpelondonstudentchapter@gmail.com with the subject “Flash Points 2026 Video Submission”. The email should also include the names of the participants, the University they are based at, and the title and topic of the video.
Note that the video may be uploaded as an unlisted video.
The talks will be evaluated by our panel of judges with the following criteria:
The talks will be evaluated by our panel of judges with the following criteria:
- Structure and content of presentation (40 %)
- Creativity – Effective use of the medium (30 %)
- Communication (30 %)
Note on AI use: While the use of generative AI is permitted, a statement of authenticity, indicating the use of generative AI in the creative process or in the production of the content, is required.
Please read the full Terms and Conditions here. Note that by participating in Flash Points, you are assumed to have read and accepted these Terms and Conditons.
If you have any questions, please email sfpelondonstudentchapter@gmail.com
Key Dates
Saturday, 10th October 2026 – Deadline for submission of video
Winner will be announced shortly after submission deadline.
A prizegiving ceremony will be held in London in Q4 2026 to which all participants are invited.
Prizes
- First place will win: £300 GBP
- Second place will win: £200 GBP
- Third place will win: £150 GBP
- People’s choice award will win: £150 GBP
- A certificate will be emailed to all participants.
First, second and third place winning submissions will receive a travel grant to attend the prizegiving ceremony in London, subject to travel requirements.
Panel of Judges
- Judith Schulz, Director at Arup London
- Karl Wallasch, Founder of Trigon Fire and SFPE UK Sponsorship Liaison
- Konstantinos Chotzoglou, Associate at OFR Consultants and SFPE UK Secretary
- David Lange, Associate Professor at the University of Queensland
- Daiki Matsugi, Assistant Professor at Toyohashi University of Technology
- Sara McAllister, Research Mechanical Engineer at USDA Forest Service
The people’s choice award will be chosen by vote from the participants.
Sponsors
This event is sponsored by:
- Trigon Fire: Prizes
- ARUP: Prizes and Prizegiving ceremony
- OFR Consultants: Travel grants
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