Your poster in the spotlight at the annual CAPHRI Research Day 2026

 

The PhD poster session will again be an important part of our annual Research Day. However, based on feedback received last year(s), we are happy to introduce a renewed set-up, in collaboration with our PhD Representatives. With the current set-up, we hope to align the content and structure of the session even better with its original purpose.
 

What is the purpose of the PhD poster session?

We find it very important to organise a poster session, because it provides a great opportunity to introduce our PhD colleagues and to offer them a stage to showcase their research to the wider CAPHRI community. In addition, it allows us to offer PhD candidates a low-threshold, safe environment to (learn how to) present their work. Finally, it creates opportunities to learn from and with others and build connections across CAPHRI.
 

How will this renewed set up look like?

The new set-up will focus on the following aspects:

• More time, room and opportunities for connecting
  We will organise two poster sessions during the day in a larger room
  We will move away from one poster session and instead organise two separate one- hour sessions, scheduled around lunchtime. This not only doubles the capacity of posters on display, but also allows all visitors (including poster presenters) to visit all posters and talk to PhD colleagues.
   
• Open, inclusive and sustainable
  No abstract submission and selection needed
  Instead of submitting an abstract, PhD candidates simply register their poster by providing short, basic information (name, team, research line/department, title and a short description). This will not only decrease the work for both the candidate and team, but also for our Science Commission, as selection is no longer needed.
  Moreover, posters do not have to be new, and candidates are encouraged to re-sue existing posters.
   
• Transparency and community involvement
  Poster Prize remains awarded by a broader team of assessors
  While the poster prize will be retained, the evaluation process will be optimized. Posters will be assessed using one evaluation form by members of the Science Commission together with a broader group of assessors from our CAPHRI community (early- and mid-career researchers). This helps reduce workload and increases community involvement on the day itself.
   

Would you like to present your poster?

All candidates that are planning to attend the annual CAPHRI Research Day in person are invited to register their poster and participate in the poster session. Participating means gaining visibility, practising presentation skills, receiving feedback, and connecting with others across CAPHRI. If you wish to register your poster, please indicate so in the registration form for the CAPHRI Research Day no later than May 18th, 2026.

Please note that the poster session can accommodate up to 72 posters. Based on previous years, we expect this to be sufficient. If we unexpectedly receive more submissions than available spots, posters will be selected at random, with attention to a balanced representation across our research lines. All presenters will therefore be informed by May X about the total number of submissions and the status of their own poster, allowing sufficient time for preparation.

We look forward to seeing you during the annual CAPHRI Research Day 2026! For questions regarding the poster session, please never hesitate to reach out to us (info-phdcaphri@maastrichtuniversity.nl).
 

All the best,
Also on behalf of the CAPHRI Science Commission and PhD Representatives,

Chantal Claessens (PhD Administrative coordinator)
Francine Schneider (PhD Community coordinator)
Sabina Bulic (Managing Director)
Silvia Evers (Scientific Director)