Conference essentials: Poster, pitching and networking
Conference essentials: Poster, pitching and networking
27 January 2027, 9h00 - 17h
General context
Clear communication is essential to make your research stand out. A well-designed poster, a strong pitch and confident networking can help you engage both scientific and non-specialist audiences at conferences and other events.
This practical workshop teaches you how to design visually appealing posters, deliver impactful pitches and actively use both as tools to start meaningful conversations. You will learn design principles, develop a clear narrative, practice effective delivery, and learn how to approach others so you and your research leave lasting impressions.
After this training, you will be able to:
- Create a clear and visually appealing research poster using best design practices.
- Apply layout, color, and typography principles for maximum impact.
- Distill your research into a concise, engaging pitch tailored to your audience.
- Deliver your pitch confidently using strong verbal and non-verbal techniques.
- Approach and engage others at conferences with clarity and confidence.
This one-day workshop is highly interactive, combining brief theory sessions with hands-on practice. You will:
- Learn design principles and apply them by creating your own research poster.
- Prepare and deliver a short pitch, followed by constructive feedback from peers and the trainer.
- Practice initiating, navigating, and closing conversations during simulated networking exercises.
Basic understanding of your own research project.
Required materials:
- If available, bring your current research poster or draft (original or printed).
- Laptop
- PowerPoint
- Other tools are available and participants are encouraged to use what they are comfortable with (i.e. Canva, GIMP, Inkscape, Google slides, etc.)
This course was particularly useful given my career stage as a last-year PhD student. I will go to an important
conference in May and I wanted to up my poster game and pitching skills.
Luis Fernando Duran Armenta
I enjoyed the training and I learned from it. It was mostly coming out of your comfort zone (which is scary) but the trainer as well as the participants created a safe space to learn, make mistakes, try again, etc.
Sarah Vanvolsem
Trainers
Matheus Lourenço
Matheus Lourenço is a science communication expert and trainer at VIB. A behaviour change specialist and Marie-Curie fellow with a joint PhD in Psychology from KU Leuven and Maastricht University, he pioneered innovative methodologies in tinnitus treatment and gathered accolades for his ability to make complex scientific approaches accessible to diverse audiences.
After completing his PhD, Matheus worked as a consultant to leading pharmaceutical companies, delivering strategic workshops worldwide. Now back in academia, he is committed to empowering researchers to communicate their work with clarity and impact, thereby strengthening the connection between science and society.
Program
Morning - Poster Design
Welcome and introduction
Principles of effective poster design
Break
Hands-on poster design exercise
Lunch
Afternoon - Pitching
Why pitching matters
Crafting your research pitch
Break
Pitch practice and feedback
Practical info
27 January 2027
Leuven - Campus Gasthuisberg
Herestraat 49
3000 Leuven
Belgium
27 January 2027
Leuven - Campus Gasthuisberg
Leuven train station is approximately 4 km from the campus Gasthuisberg. Buses depart very regularly to the Gasthuisberg Campus from Leuven train station.
For tickets and up to date schedules visit website De Lijn or use the De Lijn App.
Exit at the very last bus stop ‘Gasthuisberg Campus) make sure not to exit at ‘Gasthuisberg Kliniek =
hospital)
Once you get off the bus, go to your right and go up the street until you see stairs to your left. Climb the stairs all the way up between two buildings. Look for the signs containing blue circles and white numbers and follow them all the way from 2 up to number 12. You will cross several buildings and the walk will take max. 10 minutes. When you reach number 12, you have reached O&N 5, where you can find the reception.
27 January 2027
Leuven - Campus Gasthuisberg
The Gasthuisberg campus is west of the Leuven ring. Our buildings are situated behind the hospital (see black arrow near ‘RING NOORD’ on the map). If you come from the city center, you will arrive on campus from the east side (taking Mgr. Van Waeyenberglaan and roundabout Het Teken). If you come from Heverlee or Campus Arenberg, you will arrive from the west side (taking the Celestijnenlaan and Taborweg). When you arrive uphill at the intersection with the Rega Institute and the Red Cross building, you need to take the road down to the bicycle parking at Rega Institute (see map) where you can park. Next, follow the ‘Onderwijs & Navorsing blue route’ description below (start point is #9).
27 January 2027
Leuven - Campus Gasthuisberg
You arrive via the E314 highway – EXIT 16
After 200 m, keep left to drive underneath the roundabout and into the tunnel.
Keep left and follow the arrows to Parking West.
You arrive via the Leuven ring road
At the roundabout, take the exit towards ‘Spoed / Ziekenhuis’.
Follow the ring around Campus Gasthuisberg and pass the entrance of SPOED.
Continue right until you arrive at a second roundabout.
Follow the directions for E314.
Near the Fire Brigade Station, make a U-turn and follow the directions for ‘Ziekenhuis’.
Keep left and drive downhill, underneath the roundabout and into the tunnel.
Keep left and follow the arrows to Parking West.
Next, leave the parking at level +1 using the big stairs near the vending machines.
Follow the red carpet and arrows to 'Onco Dagcentrum' to get to the O&N buildings. Take the stairs on your left after exiting Parking West. You are now in front of the O&N4 building; on the left you will find O&N5.