A Presenter's Guide to the Festival of Postgraduate Research
The Festival of Postgraduate Research is a one day competition at which fifty of the University's best postgraduate researchers are selected to present their research as a poster to the wider University, invited guests, employers, and the public.
The Festival is now in its eighth year and the University of Leicester was one of the first to host an event of this kind - the model has since been adopted by a number of other universities.
Learn more about the Festival below:
- How does the Festival work?
- Where does the Festival take place?
- When do I need to have my poster ready?
- What training is available?
- What if I need to withdraw from the Festival?
- Who can I contact for more advice?
How does the Festival work?
Fifty postgraduate researchers from across the University are sleceted to take part in the Festival. For the first time ever, this year there will be an additional category for postgraduates on distance learning and part-time research degrees who cannot attend the Festival in person.
At the Festival a panel of judges drawn from invited guests and senior University academics will assess each entry on the basis of the visual design and content of the poster and the presenters ability to engage with visitors and communicate their research in an accessible way. A key requirement for both presenter and poster is that the research should be made understandable to a non-specialist and that they should be left with a clear idea of what the research involves and why it is important.
A number of prizes are awarded for the best entries - including prizes for the best entry from each of the University's four Colleges and the Graduate Dean's prize for the best entry overall. Some prize winners are then invited to represent the University at the Vitae regional poster competition in July.
Where does the Festival take place?
The Festival is a one day event - usually presenters are required to be present from 09:00 and the Festival is open from 10:00-13:00. There is then a networking lunch followed by a keynote speach and the prize ceremony. The Festival closes around 15:00.
A full programme for the 2012 Festival will be available here shortly.
The Festival takes place in the Charles Wilson Building on the main University campus.
When do I need to have my poster ready?
Short listing should be completed by :
- late February for those who will be presenting their poster in person, and
- early March for those on distance learning and part-time programmes who are unable to attend in person
The University will pay for one A1 size copy of your poster to be printed for use at the Festival. In order to ensure that your poster can be printed in time, you must submit an electronic copy of your poster by email to festival@le.ac.uk by 17:00 Friday 4th May 2012.
Key dates for Festival presenters are in the Presenter's Schedule.
What training is available?
All Festival presenters are required to attend a one day coaching session on presenttion and networking skills facilitated by Pete Bailie of Vox Coaching. Optional training sessions are also available in:
- Preparing and Designing a Poster
- Using MS PowerPoint for Posters
- Writing a Press Release
We also have online materials that are available as and when you need them.
Learn more about the training available to Festival presenters >
What if I need to withdraw from the Festival?
By accepting your place as a presenter at the Festival you are agreeing to attend:
- one of the two compulsory training days (Friday 2nd March or Tuesday 6th March 2012)
- the full duration of the Festival Thursday 17th May 2012 (usually 09:00-15:00)
If for any reason you are unable to attend either your allocated training day or the Festival itself, you need to let us know as far in advance as possible - please email festival@le.ac.uk
Please note that a charge of £50 will be made for any presenters who fail to attend either the Festival itself or their allocated training day without a valid excuse.
Who can I contact for more advice?
If you need any help or have any more questions about the Festival, please contact the Festival planning team - email festival@le.ac.uk
