Research Guides: Preparing for a sociology conference poster presentation: Creating the Poster

Getting Started

Congratulations! You've been invited to present at a conference. Now it's time to put together your poster.

Student poster presentations at the 2018 ideaFest.

What the poster should contain:

Title
Name of student(s)/researcher(s) and institution(s)
Abstract
Background/Literature Review
Research question
Methodology
Findings/Results
Conclusion
Potential future research ideas/topics based on this study
Reference list
Acknowledgements
Contact information

Tips for designing the poster:

Read over the poster requirements for the conference that you are planning to speak at. Make sure your poster's measurements meet the criteria outlined by the conference.
Put the information on the poster first. Once you have the information and data that you need, then you can think about things like font styles, colors, design, etc.
Make sure the text is readable from 4-6 feet away. A 24-point font is a good minimum size to use for body text. Use larger fonts for your title and other poster elements.

Poster Templates

Below are poster templates you can use to create your own poster. Note the similaities and differences between the research poster and internship poster. The type of information you present will dictate what appears on the poster

Research Poster Template
Use this template if you are presenting original research
Internship Poster Template
Use this template if you are presenting the work you completed during an internship

Software Options

Computer labs across the Cal Poly Humboldt Campus provide software programs you can use to create your poster. The following programs are available for you to use:

Microsoft: Powerpoint & Publisher

*Adobe: Illustrator, InDesign, & Photoshop

* - These programs are available in select computer labs at Cal Poly Humboldt. Check the Information Technology Services software page for information on where you can access these programs.

SkillShops are free 50-minute drop-in workshops that can teach you how to create content using these programs. Check the SkillShops calendar on the Cal Poly Humboldt Library homepage to see when sessions will be offered. New SkillShops are constantly being added, so check the calendar regularly.

Tips for Making Effective Posters

Conference Poster Examples

A selection of sources to consult for poster design ideas:

Sociology-specific poster examples:

Other poster examples:

Transporting Your Poster

Getting your poster to the conference can be a daunting task. Consider these options when planning your conference trip:

Poster tubes: Roll your poster into one of these tubes and transport to your conference. Available at shipping supply locations
Onsite printing: Check to see if the conference has onsite printing available. Alternatively, look to see if the city hosting the conference has a nearby location that can print your poster. Once you arrive at the conference, you can pick up your poster.