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We're in the thick of (virtual) conference season, and a lot of PhDs/PDs will be busy preparing online poster presentations.
This is what I've found to be most effective (having won poster prizes + judged posters, both online+off)
#AcademicChatter #chemtwitter
This is what I've found to be most effective (having won poster prizes + judged posters, both online+off)
#AcademicChatter #chemtwitter
1. Less is more. Especially with text! How many times have you read every single word on someone else's "wall of text" poster?
Think: a concise, engaging introduction where you clearly state your research aims. Bullet points around data. Annotated figures. make TL;DR the norm!
Think: a concise, engaging introduction where you clearly state your research aims. Bullet points around data. Annotated figures. make TL;DR the norm!
2. related to above: tiny font size. See this a lot, especially online. if you record a video of yourself, your 10 pt scale bars/axis labels *may* become illegible after video compression. Check after uploading if in doubt!
3. Design. It might be tempting to use the department's template (and it might even be a rule for some), but these can be pretty dry. IMO, embrace the opportunity to get creative! And don't be afraid to appropriate ideas from other great posters you come across.
4. Your "elevator pitch". Practice telling your story, time yourself, max 2 mins. If the person is interested, they'll engage and ask for more details.
And not everyone is an expert in your topic - start big and narrow down. Will help bring engage more people!
And not everyone is an expert in your topic - start big and narrow down. Will help bring engage more people!
5. Online advice - it sucks not being able to interact face to face, but a virtual poster has its advantages. If you're recording a presentation, make it an interactive powerpoint, that focuses on different elements as you run through your pitch. Think how you'd present your...
..poster in RL - pointing at data/figures sequentially, helping the audience understand your project in a short period of time. Emulate this if possible! Can do this easily with a twitter thread, or use prezi if doing a video.
Use gifs/videos/animations. Movement = engagement.
Use gifs/videos/animations. Movement = engagement.
6. Be online during the poster session and respond immediately to questions. The judges are watching, and if more people see you're engaging, you'll get more questions. This is a really good sign to a judge that you are enthusiastic about your work and know your stuff!
7. Ask for feedback. Run it by your supervisor (who has definitely been a judge before). See if your non-academic partner/friend/mum/dog likes the aesthetic.
If printing (so 2019, I know), print as A4 and check it for typos etc before A0...
If printing (so 2019, I know), print as A4 and check it for typos etc before A0...
..And if there are mistakes, you're probably the only one who will notice Face with tears of joy.. so don't panic. For one of my first ever posters, I accidently printed it A0 with my little colour guide right smack bang in the middle of the main figure. No-one cared.
8. Finally - early PhDs who don't have a lot of data yet - don't stress! You probably won't win the poster prize - judges like complete stories. But a poster is still a really valuable exercise to put your plans to paper and pitch your ideas for your project..
.. you never know who you'll meet! A future collaborator or employer perhaps?
My first PhD poster was data-light, ideas-heavy. It didn't win any prizes, but it did grab a keynote speakers attention, and an invite to a GRC which had a profound impact on my scientific career!
My first PhD poster was data-light, ideas-heavy. It didn't win any prizes, but it did grab a keynote speakers attention, and an invite to a GRC which had a profound impact on my scientific career!
Any other great ideas for virtual poster presentations?
