Call for applications: Undergraduate research presentations

Are you excited by a piece or work you have recently written? An essay, a dissertation or a summer project? Come and present your work and get feedback from your peers and academics.

We are pleased to invite members of the BISA/BFPG Undergraduate Network (UGN) to present their research at our first annual undergraduate development day. This is an excellent opportunity to share your work with fellow students and academics, gain valuable presentation experience, and engage with the wider research community in International Studies.

What can you present?

We welcome presentations on any research you have undertaken or are planning to undertake in the field of International Studies, broadly defined. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Your undergraduate dissertation - whether completed, in progress, or at the proposal stage
• A research project completed as part of a module or independent study
• A research proposal for a Masters' dissertation you intend to pursue
• A theoretical or conceptual piece exploring key debates in the discipline.

Presentation formats

You may choose from two formats when submitting your application:

Option 1: Poster presentation with short talk (5 minutes)

This format involves preparing a research poster and delivering a brief oral presentation to the audience while standing next to the poster. It is ideal if you wish to:

• Practise presenting your research in a formal academic setting
• Receive feedback from peers and academics
• Be considered for the best presentation prize.

Option 2: Research speed dating

This is a more informal format in which you will discuss your research in rotating small-group conversations with other students. It is ideal if you:

• Are at an early stage of your research and want to test ideas
• Prefer a conversational setting to a formal presentation
• Would like to receive peer feedback in a relaxed environment.

Eligibility

Applications are welcome from current UGN members who have completed research during their undergraduate degree, or who wish to discuss research they intend to undertake during a Master's programme.

You will need to be available to attend the undergraduate development day on Tuesday 2 June in Brighton.

How to apply

To apply, please submit an abstract of 250 words describing your research topic, key arguments, and (where applicable) findings or expected contributions.

You should indicate your preferred presentation format.

Please complete our short application form by the deadline of Monday 20 April 2026.

We look forward to receiving your applications and to celebrating undergraduate research.

If you are part of the UGN but don’t want to present your research, we would still encourage you to attend and register for the undergraduate development day this year. We have a fantastic programme of information and development sessions, and you will be able to meet and network with other undergraduate students from across the UK, plus PhD students, academics and more.

Guidance for research posters

Your poster should be a visual summary of your research that can be understood at a glance while also inviting deeper engagement. Below are some guidelines for designing an effective poster.

Content

Your poster should include the following sections:

• Title: Clear, concise, and informative
• Author name and institutional affiliation
• Introduction / Research Question: What is your research about and why does it matter?
• Methods / Approach: How did you conduct your research? (Keep this brief)
• Key Findings / Arguments: What are your main conclusions?
• Significance / Implications: Why do your findings matter?
• References (optional): Include only essential citations if space permits

Design principles

• Keep text to a minimum: Use bullet points and short sentences. Your poster should not be a written essay - aim for no more than 300–500 words in total.
• Use visually clear headings: Guide your reader through the poster with clear section titles.
• Include visuals where appropriate: Charts, graphs, maps, images, or diagrams can communicate complex information efficiently.
• Use a readable font size: Titles should be visible from a distance (at least 72pt); body text should be no smaller than 24pt.
• Leave white space: Avoid cluttering your poster - a clean layout is easier to read.
• Use colour purposefully: Choose a simple colour scheme that supports readability.

Poster size

Posters should be A1 size (594 × 841 mm) in portrait or landscape orientation. Please bring your poster printed and ready to display.