Do We Really Need Posters?
31/08/10 16:54 Filed in: GenomeWeb Daily Scan
Submitted by S. Pelech - Kinexus on Tue, 08/31/2010 - 16:54.
Scientific meeting are usually called conferences, because they are venues for discussion.
The value of scientific posters to new trainees and established scientists should not be under estimated. A poster provides the opportunity for direct feedback to the presenter on their research and opens the possibility of collaboration. A poster really acts a venue for meeting new and old colleagues, hold engaging discussions, and to allow presenters and viewers to exchange new ideas and insights. Trainees may even first meet future mentors at such events.
At major scientific conferences, I rarely attend the talks but spend most of my time at the poster sessions and visiting vendors. I find that most of what I hear at the talks, often by the same group of notables, is usually published work. There is also little opportunity for real discussion at the conclusion of each oral presentation.
From an efficiency standpoint, I can quickly determine if a poster is of special interest to me, and move on without offending anyone if it is not. Most abstracts of scientific talks are not as detailed as poster abstracts. When I go to an oral presentation, I have to be prepared to sit it out for 15-20 minutes at time so as not to discourage the presenter. I'll take the posters over the talks anytime.
Link to the original blog post.
Scientific meeting are usually called conferences, because they are venues for discussion.
The value of scientific posters to new trainees and established scientists should not be under estimated. A poster provides the opportunity for direct feedback to the presenter on their research and opens the possibility of collaboration. A poster really acts a venue for meeting new and old colleagues, hold engaging discussions, and to allow presenters and viewers to exchange new ideas and insights. Trainees may even first meet future mentors at such events.
At major scientific conferences, I rarely attend the talks but spend most of my time at the poster sessions and visiting vendors. I find that most of what I hear at the talks, often by the same group of notables, is usually published work. There is also little opportunity for real discussion at the conclusion of each oral presentation.
From an efficiency standpoint, I can quickly determine if a poster is of special interest to me, and move on without offending anyone if it is not. Most abstracts of scientific talks are not as detailed as poster abstracts. When I go to an oral presentation, I have to be prepared to sit it out for 15-20 minutes at time so as not to discourage the presenter. I'll take the posters over the talks anytime.
Link to the original blog post.