How to Create Dissertation Recruitment Flyers That Actually Work

If you're a PhD student conducting research with human participants, chances are you’ll need a dissertation recruitment flyer at some point. A good flyer can make the difference between struggling to find participants and filling your study within days. But designing one from scratch can be overwhelming—especially if you’ve never done it before.

In this post, we’ll walk you through how to make an effective recruitment flyer for your dissertation, tools you can use (including a free flyer generator), and best practices to help you attract the right participants.

Why Flyers Still Matter in Dissertation Research

Even in the digital age, flyers are still one of the most effective low-cost tools for recruiting participants—especially for:

• Campus-based studies

• Local community-based research

• Studies with specific inclusion criteria (e.g., “Adults aged 60+ who live in X city”)

• Programs that don’t have access to a participant pool

Well-placed flyers—in university buildings, cafes, gyms, clinics, or libraries—can get the right eyes on your study.

Key Elements of a Strong Dissertation Recruitment Flyer

A successful flyer balances clarity, simplicity, and persuasion. Here’s what yours should include:

1. A Clear Headline

   • Example: “Participants Needed for Psychology Study on Memory”

   • Keep it bold, readable, and easy to skim

2. Who You’re Looking For

   • Be specific: “Adults aged 25–50 with a Type 2 Diabetes diagnosis”

   • Mention inclusion/exclusion criteria if possible

3. What Participants Will Do

   • “Complete a 30-minute online survey”

   • “Participate in a 1-hour in-person interview”

4. Compensation (If Any)

   • “Receive a $20 Amazon gift card” or “Chance to win a prize”

5. Your Institution & IRB Info

   • This builds credibility: “Approved by the XYZ University IRB”

6. How to Sign Up

   • A link, QR code, email, or phone number

   • Make this the most visually prominent part after the headline

7. Design and Readability

   • Use contrasting colors

   • Keep fonts legible

   • Use bullet points instead of paragraphs

   • Include visuals only if they add value (e.g., relevant icons, not stock photos)

Tools to Create a Dissertation Recruitment Flyer

1. Research And Me Flyer Generator (Recommended)

Our Flyer Generator Tool at Research And Me is designed specifically for academic researchers. You don’t need any design skills—just fill in the details of your study, choose a template, and you’ll instantly get a professionally formatted flyer.

✔️ Customizable templates
✔️ Includes IRB and compensation fields
✔️ Designed to convert viewers into participants
✔️ Export to PDF or share online

✅ Bonus: If you post your study on Research And Me, you can also recruit participants directly from our national pool.

2. Canva

A popular option with free flyer templates. Great for adding logos, colors, and photos. However, most templates aren’t tailored to research recruitment, so you’ll need to customize heavily.

3. Microsoft Word or Google Docs

If you’re in a hurry or need to use university branding, Word or Docs can be good enough. Keep the formatting simple and test print before posting.

4. Adobe Express (formerly Spark)

Offers polished flyer templates with drag-and-drop features. Less academic-focused, but good for visual-heavy designs.

Where to Post Your Flyers

• University bulletin boards (labs, dorms, libraries)

• Cafes and community centers

• Local gyms, churches, or clinics

• Online (as a PDF or image on social media or study portals)

• Inside classrooms (with professor approval)

Always get permission before posting!

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Too much text or dense paragraphs

• No clear call to action

• Poor color contrast or illegible fonts

• Missing contact info

• Not mentioning compensation or time commitment

Final Thoughts

Creating a great dissertation recruitment flyer doesn’t have to be complicated—but it does require clear messaging, thoughtful design, and strategic distribution. Use tools like the Research And Me Flyer Generator to save time and ensure your flyer is optimized for participant engagement.

Need help recruiting beyond flyers? Check out Research And Me’s pay-for-success participant matching service—only pay when someone actually signs up.