Poster submissions instructions
2025 BHC Poster Session Instruction
What is a poster session?
A poster session is a visual display of research presented in the form of a paper poster. The presenter typically stands by their poster, ready to explain the research to attendees. During the session, conference participants walk through the poster hall, browsing the various displays. Unlike a scheduled presentation, where the speaker presents at a specific time, a poster presenter discusses their research informally as visitors stop by.
Why a poster presentation?
Poster presenters can gain experience summarizing their research in a brief, informal format and often receive more direct feedback from attendees than panel presenters. A poster presentation encourages conversations between presenters and their audience, offering an excellent opportunity to build a professional network.
What to do?
Before the conference:
Please submit a paper/project abstract of approximately 300 words, as well as a 100-200-word description of how inclusion in the poster session could benefit your research. To submit an abstract, please see the BHC website.
If your proposal is accepted, start preparing your poster. Please see the section “How to make a poster” and the links below for tips on creating an effective poster.
Please email your poster as a PDF to the program committee (The BHC Program Committee <ProgramCommittee@thebhc.org>) by March 1, 2025.
At the conference:
The BHC will print out your poster and provide a bulletin board. Please find your printed poster at the room entrance.
Bulletin boards will be identified by numbers corresponding to the program listing and organized sequentially to help audience members find the posters that interest them.
Presenters are expected to remain with their posters to engage in discussion with the audience until the end of the session. Posters must be removed from the room after the session.
How to make a poster?
- Important information should be readable from about 10 feet away
- Word count of about 300 to 800 words
- Use of bullets, numbering, and headlines make it easy to read
- Effective use of graphics, color and fonts
- Consistent and clean layout
(NYU Libraries, https://guides.nyu.edu/posters)
Software:
- PowerPoint
- Adobe Illustration, Photoshop, and InDesign
- Free online software (e.g., Canva), see a list of online tools
Poster format:
Size: ratio 4:3 (4′ x 8′ landscape)
Font: The body of your poster should have a minimum 24 point font.
*For poster templates, see the following page: https://guides.lib.unc.edu/posters/templates
FYI: Poster Making Tips
American Historical Association, “Information for Poster Presenters”
Colorado State University, “Poster Sessions”
https://writing.colostate.edu/guides/guide.cfm?guideid=78
Colin Purrington, “Designing Conference Posters”
https://colinpurrington.com/tips/poster-design/
New York University Libraries, “How to Create a Research Poster”
https://guides.nyu.edu/posters