Presenting research to non-expert audiences: a workshop for scientists and researchers who want to reach more diverse audiences
There’s no such thing as a “general audience.” A parliamentary staffer or policy maker, patient group, a potential investor, a school class and a room of retirees at a library talk are all “non-experts,” but they want different things and bring different knowledge.
This workshop helps scientists present research, results and recommendations to the people actually in the room. It’s always tailored to your group, and to the audiences your researchers really face.
Who it’s for
Scientists and researchers who are asked to present beyond their field: to patients and communities, policy makers and funders, schools, media, or public events.
Our approach
Each workshop is tailored to the scientists and researchers in the room. We make sure that that our workshop focuses on:
- A real audience, every time.
Participants name a specific audience to work with, and learn to do the same whenever they prepare. More information alone rarely changes understanding or trust; relevance does. - Practice, not lectures.
Most of the time is spent presenting, getting feedback, and trying again. - Clarity without losing integrity.
We discuss openly the worries that hold researchers back: dumbing down, judgement from peers, overclaiming, or questions they can’t answer. - Starting with why.
Each participant considers why they want to communicate at all, because motivation shapes tone, emphasis and what they choose to leave out.
What we can cover
Presenting has many components. Depending on what your group needs most, we can cover topics like:
- Tailoring the message: finding the “so what” for a specific audience
- Structure: leading with the point rather than building up like a paper, with scaffolds such as And, But, Therefore; the SCQA; and Focal Point.
- Language: cutting jargon without oversimplifying
- Slides and visuals: reducing overwhelm and simplifying visuals to the specifics of what the audience needs to see
- Delivery: voice, presence and managing nerves
- Interaction: handling interruptions, facilitating discussion, and fielding difficult questions
- Post-session support: will the group benefit from individual coaching and support after the workshop?
No workshop can cover everything in depth (unless your researchers have a week or more of dedicated time to work on this!)
That’s why we work with you to choose the focus together.
What we’ll decide together
To make sure that the workshop is the right fit for your group, we’ll discuss and agree the following:
- Which audiences matter most for your researchers, so practice is realistic
- Talk or conversation? A public lecture is mostly one-way. A policy briefing, patient meeting or classroom is full of interruptions and questions. We decide which situations to practise.
- How much time for slides? Slide design takes time, and every hour spent on it is an hour less of practice. It can be a core module, pre-work, or a separate session.
- Length and format: typically one to two days, or longer as part of a dedicated programme
Format and logistics
- Duration: 1–2 days, or longer as part of a retreat or school
- Group size: 4-12 participants
- Delivery: in person across Europe (blended learning possible)
- Pricing: custom quote, based on your group and goals
The presentation skills workshop was very helpful for our R&D team. I can see a clear improvement in both the structure of the information that they are presenting, and several of them appear more confident in delivering project updates and status reports to both the leadership team and in cross-divisional meetings.
—Daniele Petrone
Prysmian Group
Want to talk about a workshop to help researchers present with non-expert audiences with confidence?
Tell us who your researchers are presenting to, and what they find hardest. We’ll suggest a focus and send you a custom quote.
Prefer to speak?
Book a call