Public Speaking and TED-Style Talks Workshops for Scientists & Researchers
Training to help groups craft and deliver compelling, engaging presentations that connect with public and lay audiences
Academic presentations follow one set of rules. But when communicating with the public, policymakers, or non-expert audiences, your talk needs to do more than inform. It needs to educate, engage, inspire, and create lasting impact.
Our public speaking training combines the rigour of science communication with storytelling and performance techniques. Researchers and scientists interested in this speaking format will learn to put their audience at the heart of their message, craft compelling narratives, and deliver presentations that are informative, entertaining, and both relevant and meaningful for audiences.
This is where science communication meets the performing arts.
(This training focuses specifically on public engagement and lay audiences. Looking for comprehensive presentation skills training for academic contexts? Our Research Presentation Skills Training covers conferences, expert audiences, and academic contexts.)
Public speaking & TED-style training: 1-to-2 day in-person or hybrid intensives
→ Recommended format for developing compelling public talks
What’s covered:
- Audience-centred communication: understanding what public and lay audiences need to connect with your research
- Storytelling for public engagement: narrative techniques that make research relatable and memorable
- Performance fundamentals: voice, presence, body language, and authentic connection
- Simplifying without “dumbing down”: making complex research accessible while maintaining depth
- Creating emotional connection: showing the person behind the research
- Attention and engagement techniques: hooks, pacing, and maintaining interest
- Practice and feedback: multiple opportunities to present, receive expert coaching, and refine delivery
Delivery:
1-to-2 consecutive days (in-person recommended for performance work)
Perfect for:
Researchers preparing for public engagement events, outreach talks, TEDx presentations, or any context where connecting with non-expert audiences is essential.
Tailor this training to your needs
Every group has different public speaking goals and experience levels. We can adapt this training to fit your context:
Creating a signature public engagement event?
Our TED-Style Outreach Programme is a comprehensive multi-week programme (typically 6-12 weeks) that culminates in a public showcase event. Includes intensive workshops, individual talk development and coaching, rehearsal rounds with expert feedback, event planning support, and optional professional moderation for the final event. Perfect for universities and research institutes wanting to create signature public engagement events showcasing their researchers’ work.
Half-day foundations?
An introduction to public engagement communication covering core principles, storytelling fundamentals, simplifying complex concepts, and performance basics with practice exercises. Great for groups needing introduction to public engagement skills or as preparation before longer training.
Intensive coaching for high-stakes events?
We offer personalsed coaching for individuals or small groups (2-4 people) preparing for TEDx talks or major public speaking events. Learn more about our coaching →
Just need foundations?
We offer 2-hour skills sessions on aspects of public speaking, including messaging and structure, delivery, and more. Learn more about these and our other short format options →
Small group & individual coaching
Intensive preparation for TED/TEDx speakers
For scientists and researchers preparing for high-stakes public speaking events, we also offer personalized coaching for individuals or small groups (2-4 people).
The coaching is completely tailored to the needs of the individual(s) involved, and may include:
- Talk development and structure – crafting the narrative arc
- Script refinement – working with your specific content
- Performance coaching – delivery, presence, and authentic connection
- Rehearsal and feedback – multiple practice rounds
- Technical preparation – slides, staging, timing
Available in flexible formats (typically 3-6 sessions of 1.5-2 hours each).
For more information, get in touch to arrange an initial conversation to discuss your needs →
Delivery options
In-person (preferred):
Performance and public speaking training benefits significantly from in-person work. Available across Europe.
Online (selected formats):
Half-day foundations and some coaching sessions available online via Zoom.
Included in all formats:
- Pre-training discovery call and/or survey to understand your group’s needs and context
- Tailored examples relevant to your research context and communication goals
- Hands-on practice with peer and facilitator feedback
- Post-session resources and frameworks
- Support for organisers in planning and participant communication
Perfect for:
- Researchers preparing for public engagement events or outreach talks
- Scientists invited to give TEDx or similar public presentations
- PhD students and postdocs building public communication skills
- Research teams developing institutional outreach programmes
- Anyone wanting to communicate research compellingly to non-expert audiences
- Graduate schools preparing researchers for broader impact activities
What our training and coaching does NOT cover:
This training focuses on public engagement and lay audience communication. We do not cover:
- Academic conference presentations
- Technical presentations for expert audiences
- Poster presentations or scientific writing
- Grant proposal pitches
(Although this training helps to build transferable skills useful in these contexts, too.)
Why this distinction matters: Communicating with the public requires different approaches than those used in academic presentations: more storytelling, more personal connection, more performance. This training is specifically designed for those contexts.
Event moderation services
Need a moderator for your TED-style event or research showcase?
SciComm Success founder Suzanne Whitby is an experienced moderator and facilitator for science communication events, combining deep science communication expertise with engaging presentation skills.
Available for institutional events across Europe.
Short-format alternatives to long-format training
If your group needs immersive learning, with lots of time for application, practice, refinement, peer-sharing, and learning-by-doing, our long-format training is best.
But: in the real world, researchers and students need to balance “too little time” with a need to learn communication skills. That’s why we offer half-day workshops, and 2-hour skills sessions, too.
2-hour Skills Sessions
→ Single focus for large groups
Our short SciComm Skills Sessions are designed to introduce one specific skill in a short timeframe, online, for groups of up to 100 participants.
Choose from:
- Storytelling and Narrative Foundations: narrative frameworks for science communication
- Using Voice and Body Language Effectively: confident, engaging delivery
- Elevator Pitches for Scientists & Researchers: concise, compelling introductions
Even Less Time?
→ Webinars, expert talks, panel contributions, quick tips
We’re always open to contributing to sessions that need short, sharp input, without the interactive training element.
We draw on 20+ years of international communication experience, and nearly 14 years of working with scientists and researchers across a wide range of disciplines.
Get in touch to chat about whatever is on your mind and we’ll do our best to help.
Explore all training topics
Not sure which format or topic you need? Browse our complete catalogue of communication training, organised by category.
Looking for something different?
We’re always happy to tailor programmes to your context, or create custom-designed learning experiences to address specific needs.
Ready to help researchers connect with public audiences using public speaking and TED-style talks?
If you want to develop public speaking skills, prepare for TEDx events, or create signature outreach programmes for your institution, we’d love to help.
Tell us a bit about what you need (purpose, number of participants, when, where, and anything else that might be useful), and we’ll respond with ideas and costs.
Alternatively, book a call, and we can talk through your ideas together.
