• It’s a new twist on the standard poster session.
  • The format is simpler than the traditional conference poster in that you’ll need only one visual–one that captures your audience’s attention and draws them in to learn more about your research. Think of your poster as a springboard to start a conversation about your research, not as a summary of your entire project.
  • Your poster should be accessible to a general audience, avoiding unnecessary jargon or other barriers to entry. This is an opportunity to think beyond the conventions of a single discipline.
• You’ll also have the chance to connect with fellow researchers from a wide variety of fields and learn from one another about effective research communication across disciplines.
• It’s an opportunity to gain experience and confidence communicating your research, a crucial skill that will be useful throughout your time at Princeton and beyond–whether to future employers, in applications for research positions or fellowships, outside of academia.
   

• See the guidelines and template below to prepare your poster, which you’ll submit along with your three-minute video.
• Beyond the poster, how should I prepare for the networking session?
  • Be ready with a 30-second pitch summarizing your research, touching on the critical questions of the what/why/how of your work.
  • Think of questions that you might be asked and practice answering them.
• Keep your audience in mind.
  • At the networking session, you might find yourself talking to anyone from senior faculty in your department, to a first-year interested in your field, to a curious roommate who has no idea what your work is about. You can adjust to each of these audiences (using more or less jargon, for example), but your presentation is fundamentally the same in each situation: talk about the what, the why and the how of the research you’re presenting.
  • Practice presenting to your roommates, friends, and family. Once you’re able to explain your research clearly to anyone who asks, whether they’re a seasoned researcher or  someone who has no background in your field, you’ll be ready to present!

• What are the components of the poster?
  • Presenters are required to use the poster template provided below. Dimensions should be 30 x 40 (the same as the template).
  • As reflected in the poster template, the poster consists of:
    • Your presentation title
    • The name; class or graduation year (if applicable); and department of all co-presenters
    • One visual
    • An acknowledgement of support this research received
    • The PRD logo
• More about the visual: Your one visual should capture a compelling piece of your research or creative work: something that speaks to the why, the how and/or the what of your project. It doesn’t need to cover everything, but at least one of these elements should be present to introduce your research.
• What could the visual be?
  • A graph
  • A photo
  • A schematic diagram
  • An artwork, illustration, or drawing
  • An annotated section of text, sheet music, or other source
  • …or anything else! As long as it captures something essential about your work, you’re encouraged to think outside the box when selecting your visual and designing your poster.
• What are the qualities of a compelling visual?
  • Clarity
  • Simplicity – no unnecessary features that can be distracting for the viewer
  • Use of labels, when needed 
  • Legibility and accessibility of any text 
  • Minimal text – your visual should be the conversation starter, not the entire conversation
  • Appeal to a broad and general audience
  • Piques curiosity! You want your poster to be the starting point that draws people to come and hear more about your research.

Click here to download the template for PRD posters. You must use this template and the dimensions (30 x 40) provided.

Take a look at these examples of successful visuals as you brainstorm for your own poster.