Interactive poster contest

The RQR Knowledge Transfer Committee invites you to participate in its brand-new interactive poster contest, presented in the form of a graphic abstract—a novel and engaging way to showcase your research.

More and more journals now require the inclusion of a graphic or visual abstract with article submissions. This contest is a great opportunity to prepare for that format in advance and reuse your work later at conferences, science communication contests, or even during your thesis defense.

A picture is worth a thousand words. Here’s a simple demonstration: which is easier to understand—text or image?

An infographic is 6 times easier to remember than plain text, shared eight times more frequently on social media, and articles that include one are downloaded three times more often. Approximately 80% of clinicians prefer infographics.

Why participate?

• To showcase your research and contribute to more accessible science
• To develop your science communication skills
• To strengthen your application when seeking scholarships and grants

Prizes ranging from $250 to $500 will be awarded to the creators of the best posters (maximum of three). The most interesting posters will be featured on the RQR website (rqr-repro.org) in a new knowledge mobilization section, and shared on RQR’s social media platforms.

What is an interactive poster?

An interactive poster is a digital science communication format that allows users to explore research content at their own pace using interactive zones that include text, images, videos, and/or audio explanations (you choose the format!). Here’s an example.

No experience? No problem! Clear instructions and examples are provided. Once you’ve outlined your idea, creating the poster only takes a few minutes.

For any questions, additional information, or technical assistance, feel free to contact Dina Irsenco, RQR’s Knowledge Transfer Agent.

Eligibility

Who can participate?

• Students, postdoctoral fellows, and research assistants affiliated with an RQR member team
• One submission per participant

Required content

• A simplified graphic abstract that explains a core concept, a central aspect of your research, an innovative methodology, an experimental model, or the main issue addressed by your project. This summary is not a teaser to encourage reading your article, nor a narrative of your full research—it must deliver one clear, explicit, and memorable message.

Accepted format

Your poster must be created in H5P format (.h5p) and submitted by email to info@info-rqr.ca  in a compressed .zip folder.

You can create your H5P interactive poster by downloading free software Lumi Desktop on your computer or directly from your browser.

• How to create a poster using Lumi Desktop
• How to create an account on h5p.org to build your poster in the browser
• Video tutorial: How to create interactive posters

Key dates

• Contest launch: May 12, 2025
• Submission deadline: July 1, 2025
• Results announcement: September 1, 2025

Evaluation criteria

1. Presentation

• Engaging title
• Minimal text on the main image (explanatory text should be placed behind interactive elements)
• Clear content organization

2. Interactive content (hotspots)

• Concise text (250–300 characters per hotspot)
• Simplified, accessible language
• Use of images (diagrams, photos) when relevant

3. Interactivity

• Between 5 and 15 interactive elements
• Smooth and logical navigation

4. Science communication quality

• No jargon, or clearly explained terms
• No undefined acronyms

5. Consistent narrative thread

• Clear main message
• Consistent narrative thread

6. Originality

• Creative presentation
• Adds value to the understanding of the project

Scoring grid