Just conducting your research and getting it published is no longer enough! A study on research paper readership and citations revealed that about half the articles published are only read by the author, journal editor and peer reviewer, while about 90% are never cited.1 One way for researchers to reach a wider audience is to attend research conferences and showcase their work effectively; this also helps you build your credibility and expand your network. However, speaking in public can be a daunting experience for many, especially if you are not comfortable with English.
Whether you’re just starting out or experienced researcher, presenting your research to an audience of peers can be intimidating. Here are five simple but important tips to polish your public speaking skills and become a more confident presenter at the next research conference.
- Start planning for your talk well in advance
Once you know you’re presenting your work at a research conference, start planning. While you may be well versed with your research, it’s critical to know how to present it in a way that is both relevant and engaging for your audience. Figure out the session details, such as when you will be speaking, how much time you have, and the number and profile of people expected to attend. Then outline your goals from your presentation, in terms of what you want to convey and what you expect from the audience. Once you have this in place, you will be able to flesh out the presentation better. Think about how to explain the significance of the topic and make it engaging for your audience, how best to deliver important points (whether on slides or in speech), and what kind of visual or supplementary material you will need to enhance your presentation.
- Create and follow a clear presentation structure
Structuring your talk effectively will ensure you cover all the key highlights and keep the audience engaged. Crafting a logical framework, with a strong start and end, allows for a cohesive flow of ideas that is easier for the audience to understand. The first few minutes of your talk are critical to hook your audience so craft a powerful start; this also sets the tone for the rest of your presentation. Some proven strategies for a strong start are describing a scenario, asking a question, telling a story or doing something unexpected.2
- Avoid jargon; use simple, short words and phrases
It’s good to remember that even if you’re the expert on the topic, not everyone in the audience will know the subject. So avoid the excessive use of jargon and technical terms in your presentation. It’s advisable to keep things free flowing and conversational by sticking to simpler language, with short phrases and words. Use pauses effectively to separate ideas and allow people to absorb key information; this will also give you time to compose your next point. Pepper your talk with observations, analogies and personal anecdotes to keep the audience engaged. Another great tip is to use visuals to showcase information quickly and clearly instead of stuffing your presentation with complex data.
- Look people in the eye instead of reading slides
It’s important to connect with the audience and one sure-shot way to do this is by making eye contact. This helps you observe the audience and adjust your pace accordingly and also makes you seem more genuine and interesting to the audience. As you speak, move your gaze gradually from one person to another, covering the expanse of the room. If this makes you uncomfortable, you can also look further towards the back of the room. You can draw attention to visuals or bulleted lists of key data but don’t make the mistake of reading out presentation slides to your audience. People are far more likely to remember what you say rather than the information on the slides. One great tip is to add animations to your slides to reveal one point at a time in order to focus the audience’s attention.
- Watch the clock and adjust the pace of your talk
Most research conferences are packed with presentations, with little to no time separating them. This makes it critical to pace yourself and keep to your allotted presentation time, don’t extend it more than a minute or two past your end time. It’s better to skip some secondary material than to rush through at the end, or worse, risk people leaving and not hear the most important points of the research. The best way to avoid running out of time is to condense the details you want to share and keep an eye on the clock as you speak so you can adjust your pace accordingly.
Following these tips can help you overcome the fear of public speaking and present your work more effectively at research conferences. Make your nervous energy work for you by channelling it into a strong voice or being more animated as you engage with the audience. Finally, remember that there is no single fix to become a more confident presenter; it is something that requires a lot of practice and if you do this, you’re sure to get better over time.
References:
- Eveleth, R. Academics Write Papers Arguing Over How Many People Read (And Cite) Their Papers. Smithsonian Magazine, 2014. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/half-academic-studies-are-never-read-more-three-people-180950222/#O5q1GSA4FStDC9HX.99
- How to start a speech or presentation – 4 great ways. Benjamin Ball Associates, January 2016. Available online at https://benjaminball.com/blog/start-speech-presentation/
