Graduate Student Presentation and Poster Awards

At each annual meeting, the Canadian Society of Agronomy provides a number of awards for the best oral and poster presentations given by student members. These awards are given to acknowledge the contributions that graduate students make to the society and to encourage excellence in graduate student research and presentation. The awards are presented after an assessment conducted by a panel of judges, based on the following criteria:

1. Oral Presentations

   Oral presentations are to be assessed both on the scientific merit of the research and on the ability of the student to convey the research to the audience.

   • The written abstract is part of the judging process, assigned 15 points. The abstract should contain a brief but comprehensive summary of the subject matter, materials and methods and key study results.
   • Content of the presentation is assigned 35 points. Factors considered should include the clarity and interest of the introduction, background material presented, organization of the material presented, development of the concepts of the study, clarity of thought and presentation, understanding of the material presented and thescientific merit of the study.
   • Presentation style and delivery is assigned 30 points. This includes pace of the presentation, vocal clarity, language and grammar, poise and confidence, rapport and eye contact with the audience, quality and relevance of the visuals and ability to effectively use the equipment.
   • Question period is assigned 15 points. Factors considering include the ability of the student to directly answer the questions, understanding of the material and confidence.
   • General impression is assigned 5 points.

2. Poster Presentations

   • The written abstract is part of the judging process, assigned 20 points. The abstract should contain a brief but comprehensive summary of the subject matter, materials and methods and key study results.
   • Content of the presentation is assigned 60 points. Factors considered should include the clarity and interest of the introduction, background material presented, organization of the material presented, development of the concepts of the study, clarity of thought and presentation, quality, readability and relevance of the visuals, suitability of references cited, and the scientific merit of the study. and ability to effectively use the equipment.
   • Question period is assigned 15 points. Factors considering include the ability of the student to directly answer the questions, understanding of the material and confidence.
   • General impression is assigned 5 points.
   • The posters are to be 110 cm wide. There are no specific length requirements.

A judging sheet summarizing these criteria for both the oral and the poster presentations will be distributed to the judging panel at the meeting.