Of the many different opportunities that an academic journey offers, networking events are perhaps the most common and the most frequent. These events can turn out to be quite beneficial for a lot of researchers, as this is the place where new exciting opportunities materialize. This could be the place where you meet potential collaborators or employers, or it could also be the place where you connect with funding bodies and receive support for a particularly tricky part of your research. Either way, you need to be well-equipped and ready with a research elevator pitch to make the most of this opportunity and turn it to your advantage.
If networking events overwhelm you or if you find conveying your research at such events to be far more challenging than communicating it through a research paper, then rest assured you not alone. But the good news is that you can overcome this challenge by preparing a quick elevator pitch for research. However, before we go into the details of how to develop this skill, let us understand what a research elevator pitch really entails. Simply put, it’s the ability to convey the relevance and significance of your research in a short span of time (usually under two minutes) and in a manner that maximizes your chances of getting the intended results: collaboration, funding, a future job, etc.
As daunting as it sounds, this process can be simplified by following a systematic approach to craft a compelling elevator pitch for your research. Here are some pointers that you can keep in mind to showcase your work:
- Create a story: The first step in crafting an elevator pitch for research is to understand the true relevance of your research from a holistic perspective and to be able to weave a story/narrative around it. While doing this, it is important to keep it simple and avoid using an excessive amount of technical terminology; this will allow you to maximize the reach and understanding of your research. You can also include analogies that are relatable to your audience, so that they feel more connected to your ‘research story’.
- Know your audience: While curating a ‘story’ for your research elevator pitch, it is essential to know your audience thoroughly, as this will dictate the elements you choose to highlight. Although the overall impact of your research remains the same, you may need to tweak the relevance based upon your target audience. For example, if you intend to use your research elevator pitch to collaborate with someone, you may want to talk about the mutually beneficial aspects of your work in terms of publications. However, if you’re seeking funds from a prospective funding body, you may need to emphasize how your research is significant and will deliver value for their money. On the other hand, if you are talking to a prospective employer, you might need to showcase the transferrable skills and expertise that you’ve gained from your research.
- Be crisp and precise: One golden rule of an elevator pitch for research is to make it as short and crisp as possible. The idea here is not to talk about the quantity of work you’ve done as researcher, but rather to convey its quality and importance. Therefore, it is not essential to highlight every important experiment or paper, but focus on only key aspects that would add more value to your ‘story’. It should be compelling enough to get your audience interested so that they will remember you and your research, long after the meeting is over.
- Practice with trusted personnel. The final step after crafting a simple research pitch template is to be able to deliver it with equal finesse and confidence. In order to be able to accomplish this, you can practice your elevator pitch for research in front of a mirror to get the delivery, timing, tone, and body language right. You can also practice your pitch with trusted friends or colleagues who can offer you honest feedback. It might even be wise to talk to people who have no knowledge or opinions about your research work – their feedback will give you a clear idea about how impactful your research pitch is.
We hope the pointers listed in this article help you master the art of developing a perfect elevator pitch for research, which brings in exciting opportunities on your academic journey.
