Academic Posters and Communicating Research: Principles and Practice LEM4001
What you will do today….. Critically evaluate some academic posters used in research activities in the land- based sciences. Discuss how your own research for this module can be effectively communicated using academic posters.
A long time ago, in a galaxy far far away… The worst academic poster of all time
Context Q. What is an academic poster? = a ‘large’ visual presentation document communicating research. A0 (84.1 x 118.9cm) and A1(59.4 x 84.1cm) Q. More importantly, what is the point of it and why is it a requirement of my Degree? A synopsis and evaluation of your research. Contains referenced and accurate information that augments knowledge in the field of study leading to….? Provides a basis for scientific inquiry and questions in the same way a traditional talk can. Assignment / poster competition etc.
One of mine…...
Research Posters Q. Why present a poster? Critical evaluation / collaborations / outreach / promotion for professional contacts / experience / best practice Q. But is this more than just a curiosity to the applied land manager?
For your consideration Q. What should you consider before you create your poster? Event Target audience (specialist vs. general discipline vs. general non- specialist)
TASK: Evaluating academic posters What are the features of effective poster design? Grade the posters against the criteria you liberated in (1). Look also at the way in which the science has been communicated. What did you find? Are there any issues with these submissions? Which is the best? Why?
Previous winners…..
My favourite…..
Features of effective poster design Visually interesting Balanced (clear message with images, graphs, figures, maps) Clear and structured (<1000 words) Easy to read from 6 feet away Word clouds, QR codes
Structure & navigation Task On your own and for your project, what is the proposed structure and content? Show a member of your peer group your rudimentary design and ask for a critical comment. Are the sections appropriate? Does the way in which you have arranged them facilitate an ease of navigation?
Structure for type I studies Title – short, to the point, specific, ‘catchy’ Introduction – minimum background information, put into context, get reader interested Overview of methods / approach – brief, avoid details, use figures / tables if possible Results (if any) – briefly describe, use charts/images Conclusion – remind of hypothesis, tie together, relevance to specific field and possibly to real world Acknowledgements Contact details
Formatting rules Do not use ALL CAPS Do not use italic or underline Use one and a half or double spacing between lines of text Limit blocks of text to no more than 10 sentences Use no more than TWO fonts for your poster – Suggestion: palatino, Verdana, Arial) Use the correct citation method
Balance, visuals and symmetry 40 % graphical content Leave gaps Title100 point Sub-titles 36 bold main-text 32 point references 24 point
colour Use as simple colour palette of 2-3 analogous colours and black. Opposite complimentary colours – co-ordinate vs. clash
Graphs
Display and presentation Keegan, D.A., and S.L. Bannister. 2003. Effect of colour coordination of attire with poster presentation on poster popularity. Canadian Medical Association Journal 169:1291-1292. Display and presentation
Conclusions Ramifications for your own project Can you provide a conclusion for today? ?
What you Have done today….. Critically evaluated examples of academic posters used in research activities in the land-based sciences. Discussed how your own research for this module can be effectively communicated using academic posters.
Sources of further information The Online Journal of Scientific posters: http://www.eposters.net/ British Ecological Society advice on generating academic posters: http://www.britishecologicalsociety.org/documents/me etings/BES_Poster_Guidance.pdf Comprehensive poster design portal: http://colinpurrington.com/tips/academic/posterdesign MorgueFile - source of free photos. Image*After - large, free photo collection. FreeFoto.com. A collection of free photographs for private non-commercial use The Creative Commons search allows you to search Google, Yahoo, Flickr and other sites for material that you can use it without charge in a non-commercial context.
And now…… Research tutorials…..