How to Present a Research Poster

Updated: May 7, 2025

Introduction 

Throughout a medical student’s journey to achieve their goals, many will partake in research and have the opportunity to create a poster based on their work. After creating a poster, it is important to understand how to properly present it. Poster presentations are generally done at local, state, or national conferences that feature research posters. Generally, this information can be easily accessed online through a conference’s website. The SOMA research team also has an article where students can access a database of the majority of major conferences offered through each medical society. 

Presenting a poster consists of many different components. This includes understanding the research, synthesizing the information in a concise manner, keeping the audience engaged, and more. This article will delve into how to properly prepare for a poster presentation. 

How to Present Yourself 

Business professional attire is the typical attire worn for research presentations.1 However, this may vary depending on where the poster is being displayed, so it is important to look into the details of the event. At events displaying many research posters, it is important to be presentable and welcoming. Many potential viewers will be walking by, scouring various posters rapidly. Thus, a warm smile and a quick pitch is critical to grab the attention of a passerby. 

Components of a Poster 

Sections of a poster consist of introduction, methods, results, and discussion.2 Understanding the components of a poster will allow for a more directed presentation. Aside from the main components, many posters will also feature figures such as charts, graphs, images, and more. Understanding the main components of the poster and the associated figures effectively will 

lead to a more precise and streamlined presentation. The audience will gain a better understanding of the research without having to read every word unless they desire, and will still be able to formulate effective conclusions and questions based on your understanding of the research being presented. 

Critical Parts to a Strong Presentation 

Once you understand the components of a research poster, it is important to comprehend what makes an effective poster presentation. As alluded to in the previous section, one of the critical features of a presentation is length.1 The total presentation length varies, but can be surmised to 

around 1-3 minutes for an initial “elevator pitch” and then 10 minutes max for the rest of the presentation.3

An elevator pitch should be a 1-2 minute synopsis of the poster. This should describe to the audience what research was conducted, the significance of the project, and the conclusion drawn and why it is important. A good elevator pitch is all about the length, thus keeping it to less than 2 minutes and a few sentences max is key to a successful opening statement. A quick and effective elevator pitch is crucial to draw the audience in and to keep them interested in the full presentation. 

The main presentation of the poster should not exceed more than 10 minutes. The length of the presentation will vary based on the project being displayed. For more complex research projects, the presentation may lean more towards that 10 minute mark. For more straightforward projects, presentations may be around 5 minutes or so. It is all based on the project being presented and your understanding of the information at hand. Again, this part of the presentation is based on each component of your poster. This means being able to summarize each section (introduction, methods, results, discussion, conclusion, and figures) in a concise and understandable manner for the audience. Figures are of particular importance to understand as many audience members will be drawn towards them since they tend to be the aspect of the poster that stands out the most. 

Understanding who you are presenting to is another important aspect to a presentation.4 There are many different types of people passing by your poster during the event. This could range from other medical students, experts within the field of your own project, judges, physicians, and more. Thus, it is important to identify who is approaching your poster. Look at their badge when they come up to your poster and introduce yourself to them. Ask who you are speaking with and what brings them to the conference. This will help tailor your presentation to the person you are speaking with. If it is to another medical student, a shorter and less detailed presentation may suffice. If it is to a judge for the research poster competition, a formal presentation will be expected with questions to follow. 

Finally, one of the most important parts for a successful presentation is to practice.3 Run through a practice presentation a few times initially a week before the event. Read the poster and understand what has been included on it and why. Then throughout the day until the day of the event run through the presentation randomly to gain confidence in your presentation. Practicing alone initially is good, but after a few times it is important to practice with an audience. Find a classmate, friend, partner, or family member that can take 10-15 minutes of their time to listen to your presentation and provide you with feedback. This truly allows you to build confidence in your communication skills. To better thoroughly prepare for a real presentation, encourage your practice partners to simulate real life scenarios, such as interjecting and asking questions. While presentations sound like one-sided affairs, they are two-way conversations that allow for the exchange of information and ideas. Thus, treating a presentation like a normal conversation is what will differentiate a good presentation from a great one.

Other Tips 

The presentation should be presented as a story as the components of the poster consist of a beginning, a middle, and an end.3 Truly understanding the components of a research project will allow for a seamless presentation that flows as if telling someone a story about the work done. 

Do not forget to introduce yourself before starting the presentation. It may be hard to fight the urge to jump right into the presentation, but it is important to introduce yourself to the audience and to set up the proper stage for the presentation. 

Be prepared for any situation. People that approach your poster may expect a full presentation with questions, while others may just want to hear the elevator pitch and your thoughts. Some may stay for the whole time, others may abruptly leave after they feel as though they have heard enough. While preparing and practicing will help you answer most questions, there may be times where you are stumped. During times like this, it is important to try your best. Show your audience member that you attempted to think their question through. If you don’t have an answer or are still unsure it is ok to say something along the lines of, “that may be a great question to bring up to my PI” or “let me get back to you with that once I can figure out the answer”. At the least, most people can appreciate that you know your research well enough that you tried to think their question through. 

Conclusion 

Presentations are stories that represent the research poster in a verbal format. Understanding the components of a research poster and the project at hand is critical to a strong presentation. This means taking time to comprehend what is being presented in the introductions, methods, results, and discussion sections. Also being able to explain any figures present. Aside from the components of a poster, it is important to be presentable in business professional attire, to have a strong elevator pitch, and to practice the full length presentation with another person prior to the event. Following these steps and practicing will help to create a poster presentation that feels natural and comfortable for both you and your audience. 

Citations: 

1. Weaver, E., Shaul, K., Griffy, H., & Lower, B. (2020b). Poster presentation. Scientific Posters A Learners Guide. https://ohiostate.pressbooks.pub/scientificposterguide/chapter/poster-presentation/# :~:text=Most%20poster%20presentations%20take%20place,will%20be%201%2D5%20peo ple 

2. American College of Physicians. (2016, May 1). Preparing a poster presentation. Preparing a Poster Presentation | ACP Online. https://www.acponline.org/membership/residents/competitions-awards/acp-national -abstract-competitions/guide-to-preparing-for-the-abstract-competition/preparing-a-po ster-presentation 

3. Tips for presenting your scientific poster at a conference. Scientifica. (n.d.). https://www.scientifica.uk.com/neurowire/tips-for-presenting-your-scientific-poster-at -a-conference
4. University of Illinois. (n.d.). Research posters. Writers Workshop. https://writersworkshop.illinois.edu/resources-2/writer-resources/academic-writing/r esearch-posters/