Planning on One Page

 

Goals

Consider the goals you want to accomplish—thinking about your work and your professional development. Taking the time to reflect on your goals can help you make decisions as you design and present your poster.

Questions
  • Do you want to inform your audience about a new idea?
  • Do you want to persuade your audience to reconsider an established idea?
  • Do you want to build your professional network?
  • Do you want to establish yourself as an expert in your field? 

Audience

Consider your audience and how much technical knowledge they might have about your project. Plan your “take-away” message with your audience in mind.  What do you want to leave with them as a final thought?

Questions
  • What kinds of questions might they have?
  • How can you explain your methods to a non-specialist?
  • What terminology will you need to define?
  • How can you explain the importance of your work to a non-specialist?

Guidelines

Check that you are following the guidelines provided by the organization hosting the event. Most events will provide guidelines about the size and format of your poster as well as how you will display and present.

Questions
  • What is the maximum size my poster can be?
  • Where will the poster be displayed?
  • Will the poster be displayed when I’m not available to explain and answer questions?
  • Should I include information about the event host on my poster? 

How to Design & Present an Effective Poster Presentation

Call for Participants

Developed and hosted in Boulder since 2018, UROP's Sidewalk Symposium invites undergraduates to share their research and creative presentations with chalk on campus walkways. UROP welcomes undergraduates at any stage of their project to participate.

Register for UROP's Sidewalk Symposium by Oct.5, 2026

Celebrating 40 Years

CU Boulder has an expansive history engaging undergraduates in the research and creative life of the campus dating to the creation of UROP in 1986.

Celebrating 40 Years of Opportunities