Tips for Conference or Poster Presentation

Post date: May 15, 2017 8:17:06 PM

Just sharing the above based on my recent communications with the degree students under my supervision. Feel free to add more.


  1. Rehearse your speech, to the point that you're comfortable talking without looking at the texts. I've to rehearse my speech around 10-12 times when I presented to our Prime Minister at Chini last year, and on average 5-7 times before any conferences or public event knowledge sharing.

  2. "A picture is worth a thousand words": Balance your slide with few texts and meaningful visuals to supports your discussion/arguments. I'm a visual person, you might find my slide/poster populated with 80-100% of visuals/tables instead of texts

  3. Avoid reading at the texts - this is a complete no! Easily put off your audience (and panels!). In case you have to, describe it in different & interesting words

  4. Make sure your speech carry valuable meaning and addressing your audience

  5. What is the uniqueness of your study? How different is your study compare to others? At this stage, you should know how to answer this.

  6. What is the practical application of your research? and how you relate to theory? This is the time to test all the subjects you have enrolled in for the past years in the university.

  7. Show your passion during the presentation - why is it meaningful to you? what do you learn from it? what is the funny incident? how can it help you in your future career? The trick is to find a suitable time - during a long pause or at the end of your conversation/presentation

  8. Don't show your lack of confidence or insecurity. On the other hand, don't be over-confident too.

  9. End your presentation with your own experience related to the research, which can be a photo, achievements or reflection to what you have discovered during the journey - idea is to add personalized touch into the topic

  10. Most importantly, please be humble.