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Introduction

The purpose of the poster session is for you to dive into a reinforcement learning topic of your choice, enjoy the learning process, and share your enthusiasm with classmates and the wider community! This is your chance to explore something that excites you—whether it's a cutting-edge algorithm, a unique application, or an open research question—and present it in a way that sparks curiosity. So, have fun, keep experimenting, and let your passion shine through!

Research Topic Proposal

Before you begin designing your poster, please submit a concise proposal outlining your chosen reinforcement learning topic. This ensures that all submissions maintain high-quality standards and helps you focus your research effectively.

  • Template: Use the Proposal Template to structure your submission.
  • Submission: Upload your completed proposal to Quera (submit here) by June 6.

Main Grading Components

Your final grade will be determined by three core components: a video presentation, the poster design itself, and an in-person presentation.

Video Presentation (0.3 points)

Record a Full HD video (1920×1080) presenting your final work to someone who has basic knowledge of reinforcement learning. Think of this as a mini-lecture or demo that summarizes your project:

  • Submission: Upload your video to Google Drive and share the link on Quera (submit here) by June 24.
  • Objective: Provide a concise, engaging overview of your research so that someone can grasp the core ideas in under 12 minutes.

Full Marks Criteria

  • Clear Motivation & Context:
    Start with “Why does this topic matter?” Give a brief intro to the problem you tackled.
  • Well-Structured Flow:
    1. Introduction (30–60 seconds): State the problem and why it's interesting.
    2. Main Idea / Methods (4–6 minutes): Describe your approach, algorithmic insights, or experimental setup.
    3. Results & Discussion (2–3 minutes): Highlight key findings—charts, figures, or demo clips.
    4. Conclusion & Future Work (1–2 minutes): Summarize takeaways and possible next steps.
  • Strong Visuals:
    • Use slides or screen-sharing to show your poster, code snippets, plots, or demos.
    • Keep text minimal—focus on diagrams, animations, or short bullet points.
  • Time Management:
    • Aim for 8–12 minutes total. Practice so you don't rush or run overtime.
  • Engaging Delivery:
    • Be audible and clear—consider using a good microphone or quiet environment.
    • Maintain an energetic pace; avoid monotone speaking.
    • Make eye contact (if on camera) and use natural gestures to keep viewers engaged.

Note: Since your final video will be featured on our YouTube channel, begin with an introductory slide that prominently displays your name, topic, and affiliation. Also, include your online contact details (e.g., website, social media profiles) in the text file containing your video link, so that we can share them under your video presentation and viewers can easily connect with you.

Poster Design (0.3 points)

Create a vertical A2 poster (594 mm × 840 mm) that visually communicates your project. You can submit either: A vector file (PDF, SVG, etc.), or A high-resolution raster (PNG, TIF) at ≥ 300 DPI.

  • Submission: Upload your final poster to Google Drive and share the link on Quera (submit here) by June 24.
  • Objective: Use layout, color, and concise text to guide viewers through your research question, methods, and results.

Full Marks Criteria

  1. Logical Layout:
    • Divide the poster into clear sections: Title / Authors, Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, References.
    • Follow a top-to-bottom or left-to-right flow so readers can scan easily.
  2. Readable Typography
  3. Visual Clarity:
    • Include diagrams, charts, or screenshots that directly support your narrative.
    • Keep text boxes and figures aligned and balanced—avoid overcrowding.
  4. Clear Research Question & Motivation:
    • At the very top or upper-left, state “What question are we asking?” in a few sentences.
  5. Concise Methods & Results:
    • Use bullet points, flowcharts, or algorithm diagrams to explain your approach.
    • Present key findings using labeled graphs or tables—annotate them so viewers understand at a glance.
  6. Proper Citations & References:
    • Include citations in a smaller font at the bottom.
    • Use a consistent citation style (MLA).
  7. Polish & Professionalism:
    • Check for spelling/grammar errors (proofread!).
    • Choose a clean color palette (2–3 complementary colors).
    • Leave enough white space so nothing feels cramped.

Example Posters: You can view last year's submissions here for inspiration.

In-Person Presentation (0.4 points)

On June 26 or 27, you will stand beside your poster at the poster session, discuss your work with judges and peers, and answer their questions live.

  • Objective: Demonstrate your deep understanding of the topic and communicate it effectively in a face-to-face setting.

Full Marks Criteria

  1. Confident Explanation:
    • Greet viewers with a brief elevator pitch (15–20 seconds): “Hi, I'm [Name], and this is my project on [Topic]—we explore [core idea] because [why it matters].”
    • Walk through the poster, pointing at key sections. Avoid reading text verbatim.
  2. Technical Q&A:
    • Anticipate common questions:
      • “Why did you compare these two algorithms?”
      • “What are the limitations of your approach?”
    • If you don't know an answer, it's OK to say, “That's a good point—here's how I'd investigate it next.”
  3. Demonstrated RL Foundations:
    • Show that you understand the underlying RL concepts (e.g., Markov Decision Processes, reward design, exploration vs. exploitation).
    • Be ready to discuss alternatives or extensions.
  4. Engaging the Audience:
    • Make eye contact, ask rhetorical questions (“Imagine training an agent that…”).
    • Show enthusiasm—smile and be approachable.
  5. Time Management:
    • Each visitor may only have a few minutes—focus on the big picture first, then dive deeper if they ask.
    • Keep your overall “tour” of the poster to about 10 minutes, then invite questions.

Note: Your final score and rank in the competition will be a weighted combination of judges' evaluations and audience feedback.

Bonus Grading Components

If you want to go above and beyond, there are three ways to earn extra points. These are optional but highly encouraged if you enjoy pushing the boundaries of scientific communication.

1. Video Presentation in English (0.3 points)

Submit an English-language video of your presentation (same format requirements as above) to demonstrate your ability to communicate RL concepts to a global audience.

  • Submission: Along with your main video, upload an English version to Google Drive and share the link on Quera by June 24.
  • Objective: Practice scientific English and make your work accessible to non-Persian speakers.

Full Marks Criteria

  • Entirely in English: No switching back to another language.
  • Include Presenter Video: We want to see you speaking (face and voice) while you present your slides or poster.
  • Clear Pronunciation: Listeners should understand the technical content without major effort.
  • Fluency & Flow: Avoid lengthy pauses—speak at a natural pace suitable for international viewers.

2. Blog Post in RL Journal Club (0.4 points)

Write a blog post about your project for our RL Journal Club blog.

  • Objective: Publish a polished article that contributes to the broader RL community.
  • Deadline: June 24.

Brief Guideline

  1. Fork the Repository:
  2. Set Up Locally:
  3. Write Your Article:
    • Look at existing posts to understand style and structure.
    • Write in a clear, engaging tone—imagine you're explaining to someone who is familiar with RL but not an expert in your niche.
  4. Create a Pull Request:
    • Commit your new Markdown file, push to your fork, and open a Pull Request against the main repo.
    • Include a brief description (“My poster session blog post on [Topic]”).

Full Marks Criteria

  • Clarity & Coherence: The narrative flows logically; even a non-specialist can follow.
  • Comprehensive Coverage: Motivation, methods, and key insights are all well explained.
  • Visuals: At least one figure (poster snippet, plot, or diagram) to illustrate your points.
  • Professional Polish: Proofread for grammar, spelling, and formatting. Use consistent Markdown conventions.

3. Extra Bonus & Competition (≥ 0.3 points)

Surprise us! If you find a creative way to elevate your project beyond the requirements, you could earn up to 0.3 extra points (or more) depending on impact and originality.

  • Objective: Reward exceptional creativity, depth, or extra initiative.

Possible Examples:

  • Top Presentation Award: Judges may select the 3 best presentations in the event—earn additional points if you rank among them.
  • Novel Experiments / Demos: Implement a brand-new experiment, create a live demo environment, or show off an impressive visualization.
  • Broad Comparisons: Compare multiple RL papers, algorithms, or frameworks in the same study—demonstrate deeper analysis.
  • Custom Environment / Benchmark: Design an original environment (e.g., a small game or simulation) and benchmark different RL agents on it.
  • Interactive Poster: Embed QR codes, short videos, or interactive web demos that viewers can explore on their phones.
  • Real-World Application: Showcase how DRL can solve a real problem—robotics, finance, games, or any practical domain.
  • Educational Material: Develop a mini-tutorial, record a short lecture series, or create a well-documented GitHub repo with code and clear README.

Challenge yourself—we love being surprised! If you're unsure whether an idea qualifies, ask early so we can give feedback.

Summary & Approximate Deadlines

Below is a quick reference for key milestones and their weight toward your final grade:

Component Points Approximate Deadline
Research Proposal 0 June 6, 2025 (11:59 PM)
Video Presentation 0.3 June 24, 2025 (11:59 PM)
Poster Design 0.3 June 24, 2025 (11:59 PM)
In-Person Presentation 0.4 June 26–27, 2025 (Event)
Bonus 1: English Video Presentation 0.3 June 24, 2025 (11:59 PM)
Bonus 2: Blog Post (RL Journal Club) 0.4 June 24, 2025 (11:59 PM)
Bonus 3: Extra Creativity 0.3+ June 26–27, 2025 (Event)

We can't wait to see what you come up with. Let's make this poster session informative, fun, and inspiring for everyone involved—happy researching and good luck!