As a PhD student, your ability to present your research clearly and effectively is just as important as conducting the research itself. One of the most common and accessible ways to share your work with academic communities is through a research poster. Whether you’re attending a national conference poster session or presenting at a departmental event, crafting a compelling academic poster can open doors to valuable feedback, networking opportunities, and even future collaborations.
Research posters bridge the gap between dense academic writing and live presentations. They provide a visual and concise overview of your project that allows other researchers, academics, and students to understand and engage with your work quickly. But many PhD students find themselves asking: What does a research poster look like? How do I even begin to create one? This guide walks you through everything you need to know.
What Is a Research Poster?
A research poster is a large-format printed (or digital) document that visually summarises your research project. Unlike full-length academic papers, a poster distils your study into its key components: title, background, aims, methods, findings, and implications.
Most scientific posters are designed in A0 or A1 size and follow a landscape or portrait layout, depending on the conference or event guidelines. They are usually displayed on poster boards at academic conferences, where the author is available to explain their research and answer questions—a process known as a poster presentation.
What Does a Research Poster Look Like?
While designs can vary across disciplines, a standard academic poster generally includes the following sections:
- Title: Brief, descriptive, and attention-grabbing
- Author(s): Your name and institutional affiliation
- Introduction/Background: Sets the context and explains why the research matters
- Research Questions/Objectives: What are you aiming to find out?
- Methods: Summarises your research design and methodology
- Results: Highlights key findings, often with charts or graphs
- Conclusion: Discusses the implications and next steps
- References and Acknowledgements: If space allows
- Contact Information: Include a QR code or email
Keep in mind that your poster needs to communicate effectively both when you’re present to explain it and when it’s viewed independently.
What Makes a Good Research Poster?
A good research poster should communicate complex information in an accessible way. Here are some essential qualities:
1. Clarity
Avoid jargon where possible and use plain language to ensure your message reaches a broad academic audience. Even if you’re presenting to experts, they should be able to grasp your main message quickly.
2. Focus
You don’t need to include every detail of your thesis. Focus on the core argument or key results, particularly those relevant to the conference theme or session.
3. Visual Impact
Use graphs, tables, and diagrams to break up text and highlight patterns or findings. Visuals can often tell a story more powerfully than words.
4. Logical Flow
Arrange content in a clear and intuitive sequence. Most posters follow a column format that flows from left to right and top to bottom.
5. Readability
Use fonts large enough to be read from 1–2 metres away. Choose professional, easy-to-read fonts (such as Arial or Calibri) and ensure colour contrast is sufficient for readability.
How to Make a Research Poster: Step-by-Step
Creating a high-quality poster is about thoughtful design and strategic communication. Here’s how to create a research poster step by step.
Step 1: Identify Your Goals and Audience
Before you start designing, ask yourself:
- Who is the target audience? Experts in your field or a more general academic audience?
- What’s the main message you want to convey?
- What kind of feedback or engagement are you hoping to receive?
The answers to these questions will shape how much technical detail to include and how you present your data.
Step 2: Draft Your Content
Write a rough draft of your content using headings and bullet points. This is not the place for long paragraphs. Each section should be clear, concise, and free of filler. Use active verbs and avoid vague statements.
For example:
- Introduction: “Antibiotic resistance is a growing global health concern, yet few studies address the role of agricultural runoff in this trend.”
- Methods: “We collected water samples from 12 rural locations and conducted antibiotic resistance profiling using standard microbial assays.”
Use numbered or bulleted lists where appropriate to break information into digestible chunks.
Step 3: Select a Layout and Software
The most accessible tool for most students is PowerPoint. If you’re unsure how to make a research poster in PowerPoint, follow these steps:
- Open PowerPoint and go to Design > Slide Size > Custom Slide Size
- Set dimensions for A0 (84.1 x 118.9 cm) or A1 (59.4 x 84.1 cm)
- Use View > Grid and Guides to align content
- Insert text boxes, images, charts, and other elements as needed
- Save as a PDF for printing or digital display
Other software options include:
- Canva: User-friendly, drag-and-drop interface
- Adobe Illustrator: For advanced users seeking precision
- LaTeX (Beamerposter): Ideal for mathematical or engineering posters
Step 4: Design With Purpose
Good poster design is about more than aesthetics—it’s about guiding the viewer’s eye. Here are a few design principles:
- Hierarchy: Make titles and headings prominent. Use size and bold fonts to draw attention to the most important elements.
- Alignment: Align text and visuals neatly to avoid clutter.
- Spacing: Leave enough white space between sections. A crowded poster is hard to read.
- Colour: Use a consistent colour scheme with no more than 3–4 colours. Avoid clashing or bright tones that strain the eyes.
Step 5: Add Visuals
Charts, infographics, and photos help convey data and keep your audience engaged. When using visuals:
- Label everything clearly
- Ensure all text in images is readable
- Use consistent colour-coding
- Avoid low-resolution files (aim for 300 DPI for print)
Presenting Your Conference Poster
Creating the poster is only half the task. Presenting your research effectively is just as important.
During a poster presentation, you should be ready to deliver a short (2–3 minute) overview of your research, highlighting the core problem, key findings, and why they matter. You should also be prepared to answer questions from fellow researchers, academics, or industry professionals.
Consider bringing a few printed handouts of your poster, or include a QR code linking to your paper or personal academic profile.
Here’s how to make your conference poster presentation memorable:
- Be enthusiastic: Show passion for your research
- Ask questions: Use the opportunity to learn from feedback
- Follow up: Exchange contact details or academic profiles
How to Design a Research Poster: Key Tips
In summary, here are some key design tips to keep in mind:
- Stick to two or three columns
- Use large fonts (24 pt minimum for text)
- Keep your word count low—ideally under 1,000 words
- Use high-quality visuals
- Ensure your poster passes the “5-second test”: Can someone glance at it and get the main idea?
FAQs
Q: How long should a research poster be?
A: Around 800 to 1,000 words. Focus on clarity, not comprehensiveness.
Q: What’s the ideal poster size?
A: A0 and A1 are standard for most conferences. Always check specific requirements.
Q: Should I include references?
A: Yes, but keep them brief and format them in smaller font size.
Conclusion: Why Poster Skills Matter
Knowing how to design a research poster is an essential academic skill during your PhD. It teaches you to communicate effectively, think visually, and prioritise key messages—abilities that are transferable across academic writing, teaching, and publishing. And let’s face it: people are more likely to remember a great poster than a long paper they haven’t read yet.
Whether you’re preparing for your first or tenth conference, every poster is a chance to refine your message and expand your network.
How My Private PhD Can Help
Creating your own academic poster can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re also juggling data analysis, chapter deadlines, or viva prep. That’s where we come in.
Our team of leading academics can support you at every stage of your doctoral journey. Whether you need help designing a polished conference poster, refining a poster presentation, or preparing the accompanying conference paper, our conference paper services have got you covered. Contact us today to learn how we can help you shine at your next conference—and beyond.
