VALIDATE ECR Workshop: Showcasing Your Science

This workshop took place in London on 6th March 2023.
About the course: 
ECR Workshop: showcasing your science

Following the very successful "Storytelling for Scientists" workshop, VALIDATE once again asked First Create The Media to provide their members with an in-person, full-day interactive workshop that helped build skills and confidence to talk about their research to the audiences that mattered.

The workshop covered:

  • How to construct a compelling story and create a toolkit to communicate research
  • How to create and deliver a presentation that hit the mark with the audience
  • Tips and tricks for building confidence and holding attention on stage or in person
  • Lots of interactive activities and a Grand Finale

This was VALIDATE's first in-person training since September 2019.

 

first create the media

The Seminar Provider

First Create The Media is a communications consultancy specialising in life sciences and the convergence of biology and technology. They believe that it’s not enough to do great science: it needs context, clarity and a coherent story to make an impact and attract the right kind of attention. They work with all kinds of organisations, from startups and larger companies to charities, universities, and institutes, to get their messages to the audiences that matter.

Agenda

09:30 - 10:00   Registration and Coffee

10:00 - 10:10   Welcome & Introduction

10:10 - 11:30   Introduction - Building a Story

This session provides a quick refresh on how to build a story, will help VALIDATE members build a toolkit to support their communications, and will ground them in ensuring inclusivity in their activities.

  • Activity: Build your own science comms crib sheet, including a jargon-busting lexicon and complex number cheat sheet

11:30 - 11:45   Break

11:45 - 13:05   Presentation prep

We’ll cover how to prepare a memorable conference talk, including how to structure the content to build a presentation that hits the mark with your audience and how to support that presentation with slides. We’ll also cover the use of language to support equality, diversity, and inclusivity in your presentation.

  • Activity: Prepare a 2-minute presentation about your research

13:05   14:05   Lunch

14:05   15:25   Making an impression

During this interactive session, we’ll give you our top tips for top-notch presentations, and show you how to deliver with confidence, including speed and volume of speech, posture, energy levels and how to go from shying away in the corner to holding everyone's attention. The training will focus on practice in groups and feedback that will best build confidence and prepare VALIDATE members for diving into their next speaking engagement full of enthusiasm.

  • Activity: Practise your stage presence!

15:25 - 15:40   Break

15:40 - 17:00   Finale

Welcome to First Create The Media’s Presenting Den! During this grand finale participants will deliver their presentations to either a) a group of investors or b) at a flash conference - the choice is yours! Everyone will get to take part in this presentation extravaganza, but who will win the coveted prize?

 

18:00 - 20:00   Evening Meal

Dinner is on us. Join your fellow ECRs at The Marquis Cornwallis Pub, a short 5-minute walk from the BMA .