Presenting a poster at an APS meeting is a great way to advance your research and meet others with similar scientific interests. If you prefer one-on-one or small group conversation to speaking in front of large groups, poster sessions offer that advantage. Posters are an excellent tool for starting a conversation, and honing in presentation skills will bring your research to life.
Develop your pitch
Reflect on your topic, findings, and the importance of the research. You should be able to explain your work to both scientists and non-scientists.
Practice your presentation with friends, family, and/or members of your department. Also practice your summary and have them ask questions. Be sure your pitch has a clearly defined beginning, middle, and end that you can summarize in 10 minutes or less. Rehearse and time your talk to ensure you can concisely and clearly present your research.
Be engaging
Stay near your poster throughout the entire session. APS recommends that odd-numbered poster boards present for the first hour, and even-numbered poster boards present for the second hour. This allows time for each poster speaker to present their work, as well as walk around the poster floor to visit others. Stand to the side so that it is easy for others to come closer and read it. When someone visits your poster, say hello and ask if they have any questions. It can also help to ask about their research background so you can better tailor your talking points and provide any background to someone outside of your research subfield.
Dress code
The typical dress code for scientific meetings is usually business attire, such as a suit jacket and/or a work-appropriate shirt with slacks or a skirt and dress shoes. You should think about how you want to present yourself, while being authentic to who you are. You may choose something more comfortable if you prefer. You may also want to make sure your shoes are comfortable — you will be on your feet for the entire session.
Refer to the Code of Conduct for APS Meetings to familiarize yourself with what is expected of meeting attendees.
Thank your audience
Remember to thank all of your listeners for their time and feedback. People who have seen your presentation could be future co-workers or employers. If you think the conversation went well, use this as a networking opportunity and trade contact information.
