The purpose of a poster session is to give conference attendees an opportunity to view many different research project descriptions in a short period of time. It’s also an opportunity for presenters to interact one-on-one with many different attendees, which allows for in-depth discussions and possible future contacts. Many researchers use poster sessions as an opportunity to get feedback on a project in its early stages.

To spark interest in an idea to encourage viewers to learn more and initiate a conversation.

A Presentation Poster is a big piece of paper exhibiting your idea featuring a title, an introduction, an overview, a discussion, a listing of references, and some brief acknowledgements. If all text is kept to a minimum (500-1000 words), a person could be fully introduced to your idea in 5-10 minutes.

• A 3' x 4' placard to be displayed in a public area during the conference.

• A stand alone presentation of your ideas for viewers even when the author is not available to discuss the topic.

• A way to initiate conversation with new colleagues at the conference.

Laying out your poster

Any word processing or layout program will work, but most people use PowerPoint or Adobe Illustrator. Create a single slide or page, custom sized to 48”x36”.

Here’s what is recommended.

• A Title - Keep it short and attention getting. Your poster title doesn’t need to be the same as a paper or project title. Don’t go full-on clickbait, but this will be the first part of your poster most people will see.
• Author name(s), affiliations - It may be embarrassing to see your name in large type under your title, but that’s where it belongs.
• Introduction - Condense your central idea or question into one or two sentences.
• Abstract - A somewhat longer (around 200 word) version
• Methods - What you did (or are doing)
• Conclusion - What you’ve learned, what remains to be learned
• Images and graphics - Include at least one image to break up the text and make the poster appealing to the eye. Don’t forget to caption your images.
• Bibliography - This should just be a super short “read more” bibliography: 4-5 sources max.

Example Templates

There is no one perfect way to make a poster.  The goal is to convey information about your topic in an efficient manner  to showcase your work, receive feedback, and meet other participants in the conference.  Please consider the links below from a variety of academic sources to help you prepare your poster.  If you have questions, reach out to the Ohio Lodge of Research for guidance.

How to Make a Research Poster
Poster Basics
Designing Posters
Making an Exciting Poster
Step By Step Guide to Making Posters