Research Poster Competition
We are excited to announce the return of the Economics Student Poster Competition. This competition was a proud tradition in our department from 2012 until the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. With our program’s transition from a Bachelor of Arts to a Bachelor of Science, this is the perfect moment to revive this important academic tradition and showcase the outstanding research of our students. The purpose of the ECON Student Research Poster Competition is to showcase excellence in scholarly research, and highlight creative activity conducted by ECON undergraduate and graduate students.
Why Participate?
- Present your research in a professional setting
- Strengthen your resume or graduate school applications
- Engage with faculty and peers
- Celebrate the relaunch of this ECON tradition
- Winner gets an opportunity to present at the Academic Conference
The Department of Economics invites undergraduate and graduate students to participate in the Fall 2026 Research Poster Competition!
The competition provides students with an opportunity to showcase their research, discuss their work with faculty, students, and guests, and compete for awards.
I. Event Details
Date: Friday, December 4, 2026
Time: 8:30 a.m. – approximately 12:00 p.m.
Location: On campus TBA
The event will be organized as an on-campus research poster fair, creating a lively and interactive atmosphere. Judges will circulate among the posters, speak with participants, ask questions, and take notes before deliberating the awards. Faculty, students, and guests are encouraged to visit the poster fair, learn about the research, and engage with students.
II. Awards
Posters will be recognized in the following categories:
- Most Creative Topic
- Best Visual
- Best Overall – Undergraduate
- Best Overall – Graduate
All students who are present will receive a Participation Badge in recognition of their involvement in the competition. Best Overall Winner will get an opportunity to go to WEAI conference in summer 2027.
III. Research Poster Competition Registration
Registration opens: October 15, 2026
Registration closes: November 5, 2026
To register for the Poster Competition, students will need to provide:
- Research poster title
- Brief description of the research
- Names of all participants
- Participant contact information
- Major of each participant
Both individual and group submissions are welcome. Groups may include up to 5 students.
IV. Registration form link: TBA
Undergraduate and graduate students currently enrolled as Economics majors at CSULB are eligible to present. Submissions may include research or creative work that aligns with the student’s academic discipline and career goals. Please note that proprietary research is not permitted. Individual and group submissions are welcome.
There is no registration fee to participate in the Research Poster competition. Submission can be both individual and group.
For group submissions, poster summaries & applications must include the names of all participating students as well as the presentation title.
Students may also include the name of their faculty advisor and the associated course, if applicable.
The grading rubric below follows the CSULB Student Research Competition. Students are also strongly encouraged to participate in the university event. A total of 100 points can be awarded.
| Scoring Criteria | Accomplished | Developing | Beginning |
|---|---|---|---|
Clarity of Purpose: Research idea, question, or objective
(0-10 pts) | Clearly states a central purpose, research question, or hypothesis. The audience can easily understand what the project aims to investigate, even if the research is still underway. (10 to 8 pts)
| Purpose is stated but may be too broad, vague, or lacking context. The project’s direction is understandable but not fully refined. (7 to 4 pts)
| Purpose or research questions are unclear, missing, or difficult to understand. (3 to 0 pts)
|
Appropriateness of Methodology: Planned or proposed approach (0-20 pts) | Presents a clear, logical plan or method for how the research question will be investigated. Steps, models, or theories are discussed with enough detail for the audience to understand feasibility. (20 to 16 pts) | Methodology is described but lacks clarity, feasibility, or enough detail. Audience can understand the general plan but not the full execution. (15 to 8 pts) | Methodology is missing, inappropriate for the research question, or unclear. (7 to 0 pts) |
Quality of Analysis and/or Interpretation: Quality of Reasoning (0-20 pts) | Use preliminary data, literature, economic models, or hypothetical examples to show thoughtful analytical reasoning. Interpretation (even expected results) is logically connected to the research purpose. (20 to 16 pts) | Some analysis or reasoning is provided, but it may be limited, overly simple, or only loosely connected to the research purpose. (15 to 8 pts) | Minimal or no analytical reasoning provided. Interpretation is unclear or not tied to the research purpose. (7 to 0 pts) |
Ability to Present the Research: Communication, clarity, and ability to explain an idea. (0 to 10 pts) | Communicates ideas clearly and confidently using appropriate economic concepts. Makes the project understandable for diverse audiences. (10 to 8 pts) | Demonstrates understanding of the project, but explanations are uneven or unclear in parts. (7 to 4 pts) | Difficulty explaining the project or answering basic questions about it. (3 to 0 pts) |
Organization of Poster and Presentation: Structure, readability, and flow (0 to 10 pts) | Poster and presentation are clear, logically organized, visually accessible, and easy to follow. Includes essential components (intro, concept/method, progress, next steps). Timing is appropriate. (10 to 8 pts) | Poster is understandable but may be cluttered, missing transitions, or lacking structural elements. Presentation may be slightly rushed or too brief. (7 to 4 pts) | Poster is difficult to follow, disorganized, or incomplete. Presentation does not follow a logical structure. (3 to 0 pts) |
Ability to Handle Questions (0 to 10 pts) | Responds clearly to questions, demonstrating understanding of both completed work and planned next steps. (10 to 8 pts) | Answers some questions clearly but may struggle with deeper or unexpected questions. (7 to 4 pts) | Has difficulty answering questions or demonstrates limited understanding of the project. (3 to 0 pts) |
Value and Potential Contribution to the Discipline: Importance and future potential (0 to 20 pts) | Clearly explains why the topic matters in economics. Shows strong potential for meaningful future research, policy implications, or academic contribution—even if results are preliminary or hypothetical. (20 to 16 pts) | The topic has relevance, but the significance or economic connection is not fully developed. Potential contributions are mentioned but not well articulated. (15 to 8 pts) | Limited discussion of relevance or contribution. Economic significance is unclear or missing. (7 to 0 pts) |
Any questions? Email Economics.Department@csulb.edu
The Research Poster Presentation will be held in a research fair format, providing an engaging and interactive opportunity for students to share their work. Faculty judges will walk around the fair, review each research poster, take notes, and ask group members questions related to their research, methods, findings, and conclusions. The competition will be held on the Upper Campus, with the specific location to be announced (TBA).
Guests are welcome to attend, view the posters, and support the student researchers. Light refreshments, including coffee and donuts will be provided.
We look forward to an informative and enjoyable event celebrating Economics student research and scholarly work. Students are encouraged to attend, engage with the research community, and build connections with faculty and staff.
Awards will be given in three categories: Best Visual, Most Creative, and Best Overall. The Best Overall category will include separate recognitions for undergraduate and graduate students here at Economics. Winners of the Best Overall categories will have the opportunity to submit their research abstract for consideration for presentation at the 102nd Annual Conference of the Western Economic Association International (WEAI), taking place June 27–July 1, 2027. WEAI features both undergraduate and graduate sections.
