How To: Professional Academic Poster

Here is your guide to designing and preparing a professional academic poster.

On this page:

The Office of Nursing Research needs at least two weeks to create your poster.

Please submit your materials as soon as possible, and make sure you know the correct size and format (organization's requirements may vary). Please fill out our Research Poster Request Form to begin.

Poster Content

  • Title: Be concise (up to 10 words); the title should be creative and reflective of the study.
  • Introduction: Include an overview, justification of study, background, aims and objectives.
  • Methods: Describe the methodology/theory used.
  • Results: Shown in text, graphs, tables, photos or a combination.
  • Conclusion: Strongest section of the poster; some readers may only look at this section. Use bullet points and bold font for emphasis.
  • Implications: Separate section or included in conclusion
  • References: Include if space allows; otherwise, bring them on a separate sheet of paper.
  • Acknowledgments and/or funding sources: If applicable.

Practical Tips

  • Use the UB research poster template.
    • Use the print templates, not the display template.
  • Use Microsoft PowerPoint to create the poster.
  • The UB research poster template is available in the following sizes: 24x18'', 36x48'', 41x36'', 42x40'', 48x36''.
    • If a different size is required than what is available here, you may adjust the template as needed, but do not stretch or modify the master brand mark or crest within the template.
    When printing, select "current slide" and "scale to fit paper."
  • Print your poster on campus through University Print Services.
  • Proofread your poster before printing.

Creative Tips

  • Keep it simple.
  • Be concise; include only the most important information.
  • Use bullet points.
  • Charts, photos and graphics are ideal. Keep them as clear as possible, and ensure they are relevant and given a title.
  • Color serves to highlight certain areas, but use it sparingly. Use the colors in the UB research poster template.
  • Use an easy to read font such as Arial or Georgia. These are also UB's brand fonts.

Presentation Tips

  • Stand to the side of the poster and be prepared to answer questions and queries.
  • Take an interest in other posters near you.
  • Materials needed when presenting your posters: push pins, container to transport poster, poster board.

Resources

Here are a few resources to get you started:

Please note

We are maintaining an up-to-date database of faculty presentations and publications. We gather the data from your annual reports. It is important to cite accurate information.