Guidelines for Poster Presentations

The AcademyHealth poster sessions provide an opportunity for you to interact informally with researchers, providers, and policymakers interested in your research. The purpose of your poster is to: (1) visually stimulate interest in your research; (2) present enough information for viewers to understand the methods, results and significance of your work; and (3) facilitate conversation and networking among conference participants.

Designing Your Poster

•  Size of Board/Method of Display. Poster boards measure 4 feet high and 8 feet wide from edge to edge. We suggest that your poster be 3x7 feet and that your display be printed on paper or lightweight poster board so it can be attached to the poster board with push pins. Please provide your own push pins.

•  Organization. Design your poster to highlight the major points of your research and stimulate feedback. The following format is suggested: research objective(s); study design; principal findings; conclusions, relevance to policy, delivery or clinical practice; and research funder(s). Present enough information but avoid overcrowding.

•  Graphics. Consider various options for presenting the salient points of your research.

•  Use graphs to clarify and emphasize the key relationships between figures. Be sure graphs are precise, clearly labeled, and placed near the companion text.

•  Select the type of chart that best illustrates your point. For example, pie charts compare relative parts that make up a whole, and line charts are ideal for depicting trends over time.

•  If using tables, make sure columns are not too narrow, too numerous or too long – so they can be easily read. Use tables only when simpler visuals like graphs or charts won't suffice.

•  Arrangement. Design the flow of information from left to right. Use lines, frames, contrasting colors, or arrows to call attention to important points.

•  Lettering. Select a clean and simple font and use it consistently throughout the poster. Use both upper and lower case letters, especially in the body of your presentation. Make lettering large enough to read from at least three feet.

•  Color. Use color to attract interest and to dramatize similarities and differences. Emphasis may be lost if more than four colors are used. The background color of the poster boards is light gray.

Transporting Your Poster

•  Construct your poster in small panels so it will be easy to carry. Portfolio cases are available from art supply stores. Alternatively, roll your poster and carry it in a protective tube.

•  If you plan on shipping your poster, you must address it to yourself at your hotel. AcademyHealth does not accept responsibility for posters.

Presenting Your Poster

•  Rehearse your presentation and memorize points you want to emphasize during the poster session. Know where various points of emphasis are located on your poster so you can refer to them as you talk with viewers without turning your back or blocking their view.

•  Please post your contact information on your poster board and, if possible, provide handouts.

Additional Resource:

Preparing and Presenting Effective Research Posters
Jane E. Miller, Ph.D.
Research Professor, Rutgers University

Learn how to avoid common pitfalls when creating posters for professional conferences. The first section describes objectives of research posters. The second shows how to describe statistical results to viewers with varied levels of statistical training, and the third provides guidelines on the contents and organization of the poster.