Festival of PGR Research 2026 Poster Competition
Applications for Poster Competition 2026 are open now! Please read through the information on this webpage, then apply here.
As part of the month long Festival of PGR Research we will be hosting a Research Poster competition.
Our Research Poster competition is one of the highlights of the University calendar, showcasing the leading postgraduate research from across the institution. One of the key aims of the poster competition is to challenge PGRs to communicate and disseminate their research to a lay audience. This is a fantastic opportunity for PGRs to practice various skills such as communication, written, presentation and creativity skills. This can be a chance to practice showcasing your research in preparation for conference attendance and participation.
Please note the deadline for entry via Microsoft Forms is Tuesday 28 April 2026 at 5pm. Any entries received after this date will unfortunately not be displayed or entered into the competition. Physical copies of the posters must be received by Wednesday 13 May 2026.
Please note that we are unable to accept any applications after the above deadlines- this is to prepare you for external conferences, which are strict with deadlines and requirements.
If you have any questions, please email: PGRfestival@exeter.ac.uk
Applications open- enter here!
Complete the entry form and attach a digital copy of your poster to the form. All forms must be received no later than 5pm on Tuesday 28 April 2026.
You must also submit a printed copy of your poster. All posters must be either portrait size A0 or A1 or Landscape size A1. All posters must be submitted in a poster tube, which clearly has your name and university email address on.
Please drop off your poster by Wednesday 13 May at the latest to one of the following locations:
Streatham: Please drop your poster off at Doctoral College Hub during their opening hours (Monday-Friday, 10am-3pm).
Penryn: Please drop your poster to Monique in The Cornwall PGR Support Team Office (in the DDM Master's Suite) during their opening hours (Monday-Friday, 10am-2pm).
St Lukes: Please drop your poster into the St Luke's Hub (Ground floor, South Cloisters) during their opening hours (Monday – Friday 9am-5pm)
Please contact PGRfestival@exeter.ac.uk prior to the application deadline if you have any queries.
There are two poster categories- Best STEM and Best HASS. In each category there will be a first, second and third prize.
The prizes for this year's competition are as follows:
- 1st prize £100 voucher
- 2nd prize £75 voucher
- 3rd prize £50 voucher
There is also a prize for Most Innovative Poster (£100 voucher).
The current confirmed judges for the 2026 Poster Competition are:
- Mr Dan Isaac, Data, Literacy and Training Lead
- Dr Jo Esra, Senior Lecturer in Early Modern Literature
- More judges TBC
The Poster Competition will be judged on two key areas: Research Content and Poster Design & Visual Impact. Within each of these categories, the judges will assess four areas, as detailed below:
Research Content: Judges look for the clarity and impact of the research itself.
- Accessibility: Would a non-subject specialist understand the research?
- Significance: How far does the poster clearly state the research problem, aim, and its relevance/impact?
- Structure: Is the research presented logically, with clear conclusions?
- Quality: How far does the content demonstrate academic rigor, originality, and deep understanding?
Poster Design & Visual Impact: This measures how effectively the visual, layout, and textual elements tell the story.
- Visual Appeal: How engaging is the layout, colour scheme, and graphic quality?
- Readability: How clear is the text, font size, and balance of text-to-image ratio?
- Layout/Flow: How easy is it to follow the narrative of the poster?
- Visual Communication: How well do images, graphs, and figures enhance the message rather than just decorate it?
Judges will utilise a five-point Likert scale for each question and the total marks will be out of 80.
All posters will be displayed at Streatham Campus between Monday 18 -Wednesday 20 May in the Forum Street and at Penryn Campus on Thursday 28 and Friday 29 May in the Upper Stannary. Winning entries will be revealed during these exhibitions.
Entrants are not expected to stand by their poster for the duration of the exhibition; the posters will be on display for those around campus to visit and enjoy.
We will be holding a number of sessions during the poster exhibitions days, where senior academic staff and supervisors will be invited to view the display. Entrants are encouraged to attend in-person for these sessions. This is a great opportunity to discuss your research with a non-specialist audience and practice for up-coming conferences. You will receive an invite to these once the timings have been confirmed.