CURA Research Workshop | Visualizing Your Research: Poster Design
On 29 January 2026, the Center for International and Regional Studies (CIRS) hosted a research skills workshop titled Visualizing Your Research: Poster Design Workshop. The workshop was facilitated by Sahar Mari, Senior Learning Engineer at Northwestern University in Qatar, and Sara Shaaban, Creative Director at VCU School of the Arts in Qatar. The workshop attracted students from Qatar Foundation partner universities, including Northwestern University in Qatar, Texas A&M University at Qatar, Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar, and Weill Cornell Medicine – Qatar, enriching the experience through interdisciplinary exchange as participants applied these skills to their own research practices.
The session introduced participants to strategies for transforming complex research projects into clear, visually compelling posters that communicate a strong central message. The facilitators helped students understand how logos, ethos, and pathos shape not only written arguments but also visual presentations. Students analyzed sample posters through group discussions with smaller groups and with the facilitators to spot the strengths and weaknesses of each design. These exercises encouraged participants to reflect on how even the smallest design choices can influence credibility, logical flow, and audience engagement, which helped the students gain practical insight into the elements required to produce a visually strong and persuasive research poster.
The session then introduced what the facilitators referred to as the “Four Secret Weapons” of design: Contrast, Repetition, Alignment, and Proximity (CRAP). It emphasized how these principles work together to create a cohesive and clear visual structure that guides the viewer’s attention and strengthens overall communication. This resonated with many students, who recognized how these principles could immediately improve their work. The workshop concluded with dedicated time for students to work on the designs for their own research project and receive personalized feedback from the facilitators, ensuring the students leave the session equipped with both conceptual knowledge and practical skills to enhance their future research presentations.
Article by Mehek Elahi, CIRS Research Assistant.