Call for Entries: Adam Smith’s ‘The Wealth of Nations’ @ 250 Student Poster Competition

The deadline is fast approaching for the international Student Poster Competition celebrating Adam Smith’s ‘The Wealth of Nations’ @ 250. You have until Friday, 15 May 2026, at 5.00 pm (GMT) to submit your creative designs. The competition is completely free to enter.

The Brief

• Choose a key idea from Adam Smith’s work and apply it to a major 21st-century global challenge, such as inequality, sustainability, or another modern issue.

• Redesign the front cover of The Wealth of Nations to reflect how this specific idea can help address the modern challenge you selected.

• You are welcome to choose any style for your front cover, including drawings, cartoons, collages, or photographs.

• Include a short written description (maximum 500 words) explaining your cover, the central Smith idea it conveys, and its relevance to the 21st Century.

Eligibility

• The competition is open to current undergraduate and postgraduate students enrolled at the University of Glasgow or one of its international partner universities.

• Only individual entries are permitted; group submissions are not allowed.

• Students may only enter the competition once.

Prizes and Recognition

• The winner will receive a prize pack of mixed merchandise from the Adam Smith Business School and the University of Glasgow.

• The prize will be mailed to the winner and can be sent directly to their university of study if required.

• Shortlisted entries will be proudly displayed at the Wealth of Nations Conference 2026 at the University of Glasgow.

How to Submit

• Submit your front cover design and written description in JPEG, PNG, PDF, or Word format.

• Email your entry to business-events@glasgow.ac.uk with the subject line „WoN International Poster Competition Entry“.

• You must submit your entry using the official submission form, and all requested information must be provided for your entry to be considered.

  • A note on AI: Entrants may use AI tools for conceptual inspiration, but the submitted design must be the student’s original creative work and cannot be fully generated by AI image-generation tools. You must confirm that your submission does not infringe on third-party intellectual property rights.

Judging Criteria

All entries will be anonymized and evaluated in two stages. The independent judging panels will assess submissions based on the following criteria:

• Interpretation of the Brief: Assesses how effectively the design responds to the competition brief.

• Concept & Strength of Idea: Evaluates the clarity, depth, and relevance of the underlying concept and its relation to the central themes in The Wealth of Nations.

• Creativity & Innovation: Measures the originality and inventive approach of the work.

• Visual Communication & Impact: Assesses how effectively the message is conveyed visually.

For any further information about the competition, please contact: business-events@glasgow.ac.uk. Don’t miss this chance to showcase your creativity and engage with the enduring legacy of Adam Smith!