Appendix 3: Preparing a poster
Poster displays are an important means of presenting research findings at scientific meetings. They provide an opportunity for direct interaction and discussion with other conference attendees allowing exchange of ideas. In your tutorials you will prepare a poster for presentation at a Faculty Poster Event, which will be held on Tuesday 13th December at 2pm (Week 12). You should use the card provided (see below) as a base and be as creative as possible with any other resources you can find. Professionally-produced posters printed from PowerPoint etc. will be disqualified from the competition.
Aims
The purpose of this assignment is to develop team skills and presentation skills by designing a poster to illustrate and describe a current scientific topic.
Objectives
In completing this exercise you will acquire expertise in:
- presenting scientific information in a concise, organised and attractive way
- collaborating with others and working in a group
- using a variety of information sources to construct the poster e.g. journals, internet, etc.
What makes a good poster?
It should:
- have visual impact and catch the eye, so use photos, diagrams, graphs etc.
- retain the reader’s attention long enough for them to read it all
- be interesting, preferably topical and stimulating e.g. a current, high profile scientific issue
- be accurate – do not use dubious sources of information, be sure information is correct
- be presented to a high standard
The poster should be readable at a distance – use a clear, large font with a balance between words, pictures and blank space. Avoid crowded tables (if possible use graphs, charts etc. instead) and do not use over-long figure legends. Include your names and degree programme on the poster. Examples of posters from previous first years are displayed in 1MUL and 2MUL.
Practical arrangements
Collect the card to make your poster from Stopford Central Stores (Ground Floor). Ensure your poster is ready for display at least 1 hour before the poster event. All members of the group must be present and prepared to answer questions about the poster during the Poster Event.
Assessment
Your Advisor will mark posters based on the following criteria: quality of science, visual impact, organisation of information, readability and contribution of whole group. All students should put an approximately equal effort into the poster production. Normally all students will be given the same mark. If any students put in considerably more or less effort than the average, their mark may be adjusted accordingly. All students in the group are expected to be able to discuss the poster and this is one of the assessment criteria. Therefore, attendance at the Poster Event is a compulsory part of the Tutorial Unit and failure to attend will result in a 20% reduction in the mark awarded.
Prizes
In addition to the individual poster marks, prizes will be awarded for the best posters as chosen by the votes of (i) academic staff in the Faculty of Life Sciences and (ii) the students. The groups producing the “best” posters will receive prizes after the Poster Event.
Any comments or queries about the Poster Event that cannot be answered by your Advisor should be addressed to: caroline.milner@manchester.ac.uk