Poster & Presentation Guidelines

These guidelines apply to academic posters created for the Batten University Academic Symposium and off-campus academic conferences. Select your poster type below for content requirements specific to your experience, then review the shared technical, text, and design guidelines that apply to all poster types.

Poster Content by Type

The content sections required on your poster vary by experience type. Select yours below.

The purpose of an internship poster is to summarize the internship experience for an audience that might not be familiar with the field. The poster must be visually attractive — viewers typically decide within seconds whether to read it.

Include the following content sections:

  1. Project Title. Use specific language that focuses on the key facets of the internship. Viewers should be able to read the title and understand the focus of the experience.
  2. Introduction. Include the student name, company name, internship location, position, and dates. Note the course rubric and number, course title, and instructor(s). Describe how you secured the internship.
  3. Abstract. A concise summary of what was done and learned in the internship and the course.
  4. Learning Objectives. List 2–5 learning objectives you planned to achieve.
  5. Description of Key Responsibilities. Summarize the major responsibilities, activities, and projects completed during the internship.
  6. Application of Coursework. Explain how your Batten coursework helped with the internship. Link relevant courses, theories, and concepts to their applications in the field.
  7. Lessons Learned. What did you learn about the industry, the company, the career process, and yourself?
  8. Acknowledgements. Recognize your internship site supervisor, course instructor, and mentors. Include full titles. Acknowledge funding sources.
  9. Visuals. Label all visuals with names, dates, locations, and photographers. Do not include photographs of children without site supervisor approval.
  10. Employer Logo. Include the employer’s logo.
  11. Batten University Logo. Include the Batten University logo.

Submit to: ajones@batten.edu

Sample

Sample internship poster

The purpose of a research poster is to convey the research’s central problem and key findings. It must be visually attractive and communicate effectively — viewers typically decide within seconds whether to engage.

Include the following content sections:

  1. Project Title. Clearly communicate the project’s purpose and significance. Viewers should understand the problem the research addresses.
  2. Information. Include student name(s), course rubric and number, course title, and instructor(s).
  3. Abstract. A brief synopsis explaining the research’s main problem, method, and key findings. Write in full sentences.
  4. Introduction. Explain the specific questions the research addresses and include a brief overview of key literature. May include a hypothesis.
  5. Method. Explain the method or approach the research employed.
  6. Results. Explain the main results. Qualitative studies may present key arguments; quantitative studies may review key data. All data should have figure or table headings.
  7. Discussion. Explain the most significant findings. May suggest future areas of research.
  8. Works Cited. Full citations for 3–6 key sources, formatted according to disciplinary conventions.
  9. Acknowledgements. Recognize the course instructor and mentors. Include full titles. Acknowledge funding sources.
  10. Visuals. Label all visuals with names, dates, locations, photographers, and citations.
  11. Batten University Logo. Include the Batten University logo.

Submit to: jrudel@batten.edu

Samples

Sample research poster
Sample research poster

The purpose of a global engagement poster is to summarize a study abroad experience for an audience unfamiliar with the country you visited. Compelling visuals are essential — viewers typically decide within seconds whether to engage.

Include the following content sections:

  1. Project Title. Clearly communicate the theme of your poster. Viewers should understand the message you are conveying.
  2. Information. Include your name, where you studied away, and the term(s) in which you traveled. If applicable, include the course rubric and number, course title, and instructor(s).
  3. Abstract. A brief summary of where you traveled and what you learned. Write in full sentences.
  4. Introduction. Introduce the audience to the country in which you studied. Provide details and facts.
  5. Learning Objectives. Outline 2–5 learning objectives you planned to achieve.
  6. Description. Detail your time abroad, highlighting activities and events.
  7. Discussion. Describe what you learned and how immersing yourself in the culture has impacted you.
  8. Works Cited. If applicable, full citations formatted according to disciplinary conventions.
  9. Acknowledgements. Recognize the course instructor and mentors. Include full titles. Acknowledge funding sources.
  10. Visuals. Label all visuals with names, dates, locations, photographers, and citations.
  11. Batten University Logo. Include the Batten University logo.

Submit to: blnovkovic@batten.edu

Samples

Sample global engagement poster
Sample global engagement poster

Technical Considerations

These requirements apply to all poster types.

  • Program: All posters should be designed in PowerPoint. A paper poster should be a single slide; an e-poster may be 3–5 slides.
  • Printed poster setup (under Design → Page Setup in PowerPoint):
    • Height: 24″
    • Width: 36″ to 48″
  • E-poster setup:
    • 40.97 × 23.04 inches (16:9 aspect ratio)
    • May include images, graphs, and video

Recommendations for Text

  1. Avoid long sentences.
  2. Use the active voice.
  3. Additional information may be distributed as a supplemental handout during the poster session.

Design Guidelines

  1. Margins: Avoid placing content at the edges of the slide — leave generous margins to prevent content from being cut off in printing.
  2. Clearly defined sections: Place content in visually separated sections, each with a clear title.
  3. White space: Include ample blank space between sections. Too much content makes viewers reluctant to read.
  4. Poster coherence: Align related sections so they flow from one point to the next. Graphic hierarchy (larger to smaller font, color coding) helps viewers interpret significance quickly.
  5. Background color: Use a light background. Gradient coloring works well. Avoid red.
  6. Section colors: Different background colors for sections help the audience follow the content — but avoid too many competing colors.
  7. Background images: Avoid background images — they compete with content and make the poster look busy.
  8. Font sizes: Use a variety of sizes to guide attention. Reserve the largest fonts for the title, section titles, and abstract. Minimum font size: 24pt.
  9. Font color: Use dark font on a light background for readability.
  10. Text presentation: Bullet most text for easy reading. The abstract should be written in complete sentences.