Communication Development

Communicating your research and ideas in an appropriate way to different audiences is a vital skill, and one you will use throughout your research studies. These workshops help you develop your communication in writing, poster formats, presentations and public speaking, as well as effective networking.

Upcoming workshops

Three Minute Presentation: Engagement with Impact (3MT & FameLab Training)

Facilitator: Dr Glynn Harris            B2 – D1 – D2  – D3

Have you ever considered entering a Three Minute Thesis or FameLab competition but not sure where to start? Keen to develop your presentation and communication skills?

This workshop will help prepare postgraduate researchers for upcoming competitions in the calendar and to equip you with tips and tricks when presenting your research to non-specialist audiences.
You’ll learn how to communicate your research in a short space of time. This is a perfect chance to work on your communication and presentation skills by developing a three-minute elevator pitch which you can use to engage with non-specialist audiences. You will work through getting to know your target audience (and what they may want to hear) and working out your pitch structure before giving it a go yourself!

The session is hosted by Dr Glyn Morris, who has over 7 years of experience in research communication and public engagement through a range of methods ranging from writing for the BBC to talking on the radio and TV.

    Pitch Perfect: Public Speaking, Networking, Engaging

    Facilitator: Dr Joanna Young            B2 – D1 – D2  – D3

    Researchers are frequently under pressure to communicate their information verbally, whether it is an oral presentation, in a meeting or an interaction at a conference. Performing well in a keynote presentation or impressing at a chance meeting is key to facilitating collaborations, building relationships with future employers and boosting your career. Public speaking and networking are key components to a successful career, both within academia and beyond.

    This workshop will cover various situations that researchers are faced with regularly with regard to verbal interaction. We will cover oral presentations, how to get the most from your poster session at a conference, how to pitch your research, and how to network effectively. Participants will be introduced to various techniques that they can use and adapt to a variety of situations. Effective verbal delivery and engagement takes practice and this workshop will introduce participants to concepts and techniques that they can use to their advantage.

      Giving a Conference Presentation in English

      Facilitator: Dr Malgorzata Drewniok   A1 – A3 – D2 

      This workshop complements the ‘Giving a Paper at a Conference’ and the ‘Writing Conference Presentations / Papers’ workshops, and it is aimed at students for whom English is not the first language.

      In this session, you will learn how to give a conference presentation in English. We will cover useful language – vocabulary, grammar structures, as well as useful signposting. You will also learn techniques to maintain your audience’s attention and to emphasize your points. There will be an opportunity to practise and to ask any questions about your own conference presentations.

        Poster: Designing, Creating & Presenting

        Facilitator: Dr Joanna Young                A3 – D1 – D2  – D3

        Performing well in a keynote presentation or impressing at a chance meeting is key to facilitating collaborations, building relationships with
        future employers and boosting your career. Public speaking and networking are key components to a successful career, both within academia and beyond. This workshop will cover various situations that researchers are faced with regularly with regard to verbal interaction. We will cover oral presentations, short communications, how to pitch your research and how to network effectively. Participants will be introduced to various techniques that they can use and adapt to a variety of situations. Effective verbal delivery and engagement takes practice and this workshop will introduce participants to concepts and techniques that they can use to their advantage. We take a step by step approach to presentations, building up from initial short research pitches to longer conference talks so participants can gain confidence.

        Social Media Bootcamp: Strategy, Sharing and Connecting

        Facilitator: Dr Joanna Young   A3 – D1 – D2 – D3

        Overview
        This workshop is designed specifically for researchers who are looking to develop their online presence and boost their career prospects through social media. There are now numerous channels available that can be used to amplify your research, promote an enterprising project and attract future employers. In addition, social networks can act as a valuable source of information and a personally tailored news feed.

        At the end of this workshop participants will have:
        • discussed the various ways to use social media to their advantage with other participants in the workshop;
        • an awareness of the legal considerations and privacy issues;
        • started to design a social media strategy that they can implement in their own time.

         

        Communicating in Academic Context

        Facilitator: Dr Malgorzata Drewniok

        Overview: In this session, we will look at various ways we communicate in academic context, beyond writing your thesis or for academic publication. We will first look at transferrable skills you already have, and then consider situations where you would be sharing your research. We will discuss networking, using social media, writing for wider audiences and others. We will also consider what language is used in such situations.

         

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