Creating something from nothing: Developing a research poster design workshop to support undergraduate researchers

WCU Author/Contributor (non-WCU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Scottie Kapel, Scholarly Communication Librarian (Creator)
Institution
Western Carolina University (WCU )
Web Site: http://library.wcu.edu/

Abstract: Undergraduate research (UR) is highly valued at Western Carolina University (WCU). WCU supports several UR programs and funding opportunities, and the university consistently ranks in the top 10 for number of students presenting at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research. At both on- and off-campus symposia and conferences, the poster is one of the main forms of disseminating undergraduate research. Despite the prevalence of this format, formal poster design instruction has not been traditionally offered to WCU’s undergraduate researchers via library instruction.This poster details the research poster design workshop that WCU’s Outreach & Scholarly Communication (O&SC) Librarian created in 2017 to fill this gap. The workshop is designed to meet the needs of all students regardless of discipline, to provide guidance in research poster design best practices, and to engage the students in their role and responsibility as research product creators. This poster describes the workshop in its current iteration, its evolution over the past two years, ways the O&SC Librarian generated student and colleague interest, and other opportunities that have arisen as a result of partnerships and enthusiasm generated by the workshop.

Additional Information

Publication
Language: English
Date: 2019
Keywords
undergraduate research, poster presentation, workshop, library instruction

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