Poster design and pitching
Poster design and pitching
2 March 2026, 9h00 - 17h
General context
Communicating your research effectively is essential for visibility and impact. This training helps you design clear, visually appealing posters and deliver confident, concise pitches that engage your audience. You’ll learn how to transform complex data into compelling (visual) narratives that resonate with both scientific and non-specialist audiences. By mastering these skills, you’ll stand out at conferences and networking events, making your research memorable and accessible.
This training is intended for PhD students, postdocs, and researchers who want to improve their poster design and pitching skills.
After completing this training, participants will be able to:
Design a research poster that communicates research clearly and visually.
Apply principles of layout, typography, and color to enhance readibility and impact.
Identify the core message of their research and structure it into a concise pitch.
Demonstrate effective verbal and non-verbal communication during a pitch.
Adapt their pitch for different audiences and time constraints.
The training combines short lectures, interactive discussions, and hands-on exercises.
Participants will design a poster using best practices, prepare and deliver a short pitch with peer and trainer feedback.
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)
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
02 March 2026
Ghent - VIB/UGent FSVM II
Technologiepark 75
9052 Zwijnaarde
Belgium
02 March 2026
Ghent - VIB/UGent FSVM II
From Ghent Sint-Pieters station, you can take a bus to Technologiepark. Please check Routeplanner De Lijn for schedules.
02 March 2026
Ghent - VIB/UGent FSVM II
Looking for a custom cycling route? Try the online cycling route planner to easily and quickly identify the fastest, safest and/or most scenic route to any destination in Ghent.
Cycling route planner
Shared bicycles:
Several providers are active in the area.
Take a look at their platforms:
- Indigo Weel Pro app
- Bluebike
- DOTT
- BOLT eBikes
- Donkey Republic
There are also some public bicycle pumps at the park.
02 March 2026
Ghent - VIB/UGent FSVM II
There is only one entrance to Technologiepark. At the entrance, please take a ticket - Parking is only allowed in regular parking spots (for instance in front of the building) and in the parking tower. Parking alongside the roads or in other places where there is no regular parking is prohibited.