Mastering Scientific Presentations: Unlocking Your Communication Skills

Foreword by the ZEW Institute Management
Preface
Contents
1 Scientific Talks—Effective Communication that Assists with the Conveyance of Research Results
	1.1 The Framework Conditions for Presentations Have Changed
	1.2 Talks Pay off Fourfold
	1.3 Differences Between the Written and Spoken Word—Paper and Presentation
	1.4 Scientific Talk and Business Presentation—The Distinctions and Special Features
	References
2 Conference Meetings and Co.—Occasions for Scientific Presentations and Talks
	2.1 Formats for Scientific Target Groups
		2.1.1 Academic Conferences
		2.1.2 Academic Workshops
		2.1.3 Poster Session and Poster Walk
		2.1.4 Brown Bag Events
		2.1.5 BarCamp
		2.1.6 Lightning Talks
		2.1.7 Research Pitch
	2.2 Formats for Target Groups from the General Public
		2.2.1 Science Slam
		2.2.2 Science Cafe
		2.2.3 Science Speed Dating
	References
3 From the Collation of Material to the Scientific Talk—Preparation as the Key to Success
	3.1 Research Results, Papers, Articles and Additional Information—Collation of Material for Scientific Presentations
	3.2 Classical Structure of Scientific Talks
	3.3 General Conditions of the Talk—Audience, Goal and Time Limit
		3.3.1 The Audience—The Decisive People for a Talk
		3.3.2 Goal—What Should the Talk Set Out to Achieve?
		3.3.3 Time Management—(Not) a Problem
	3.4 Designing the Dramaturgy of the Talk—Defining the Content and the Central Theme
		3.4.1 Types of Information for the Presentation
		3.4.2 Using Scientific Storylining to Identify the Core Information for the Talk
	3.5 Visualisation in the Talk—Selecting and Using Media in a Targeted Manner
		3.5.1 Making Proper Use of the Media
		3.5.2 Main, Spontaneous and Permanent Media
	3.6 Poster—Illustrated Summary of Research
		3.6.1 Planning and Preparing Scientific Posters
		3.6.2 Use Four Important Design Elements
		3.6.3 Considering the Design Principles of Proximity, Alignment, Repetition and Contrast
		3.6.4 Designing Scientific Posters
		3.6.5 Tips for Poster Presentations
	References
4 Visualisation in the Talk—Design Slides in a Professional Manner
	4.1 Fundamentals of Design—Nine Rules for Better Slides
	4.2 Classical and Illustrative Visualisation Elements
		4.2.1 Classic Visualisation Elements
		4.2.2 Illustrative Visualisation Elements
	4.3 Five Principles for Effective Slides in Academic Talks
		4.3.1 Create a Separate Slide for Each Core Message and Vice Versa
		4.3.2 Arranging Text Boxes and Numbers in Tabular Form
		4.3.3 Show Charts and Other Forms of Illustrations
		4.3.4 Avoid the Use of Confusing and Unnecessary Elements
		4.3.5 Make Use of Animations
	References
5 Communicating Methods, Results and Knowledge Gains—The Talk and Presentation
	5.1 Final Preparation Activities at Home and in the Conference Room
		5.1.1 Preparatory Activities from Home
		5.1.2 Preparatory Work in the Conference Room
	5.2 Introduction—First Impression, Lead-Up to the Topic and Increasing People’s Attention
		5.2.1 Three Elements Form the Basis for a Classic Introduction
		5.2.2 Tailor the Introduction with  “Hooks”
		5.2.3 Starting With and Without Visualisation
	5.3 Main Part—The Actual Presentation
		5.3.1 Classic Structure
		5.3.2 A Results-First Structure
		5.3.3 Hourglass Structure
		5.3.4 Keeping the Audience’s Level of Attention High
	5.4 Conclusion—Anchoring Core Theses and Knowledge Gain
		5.4.1 Summary and Visualisation of the Important Contents of the Talk
		5.4.2 Conclusions and Future Research
		5.4.3 Closing Point and Transition to the Q&A Session
	5.5 Question and Answer Session and Discussion
		5.5.1 Chairperson—Moderator and Timekeeper
		5.5.2 Discussant—Critic and Promoter of Understanding
	5.6 Follow-Up After a Scientific Presentation
	References
6 Remarkable and Useful Things—A Toolbox for Scientific Talks
	6.1 Communication and Its Impact at Talks
		6.1.1 Body Language in Lectures—Eye Gaze Behaviour, Facial Expressions, Gestures and Posture
	6.2 Stage Fright—A Human Survival Programme Between Brilliant Performance and a Mental Block
		6.2.1 Negative and Positive Effects of Nervousness
		6.2.2 Classic Techniques to Reduce Nervousness 
		6.2.3 Techniques to Reduce Nervousness Just Before the Talk
		6.2.4 Techniques to Reduce Nervousness During the Talk
		6.2.5 Slips of the Tongue, Forgotten Points and Losing the Thread
	6.3 Recite the Talk Freely, Read It Out or Learn It off by Heart
		6.3.1 Reciting Freely
		6.3.2 Reading Aloud in a Talk
		6.3.3 Reciting from Memory
	6.4 Guiding the Audience’s Gaze—Using Laser Pointers, Animations and Your Hands
		6.4.1 Guiding the Audience’s Gaze Using the Laser Pointer
		6.4.2 Guiding the Audience’s Gaze Using Animations
		6.4.3 Guiding the Audience’s Gaze with Your Hands
	6.5 Hyperlinks—Provide Additional Information or Abbreviate the Talk if Necessary
		6.5.1 Provide Additional In-Depth Information
		6.5.2 Dealing with Time Constraints
	6.6 Steering the Discussion and the Audience
		6.6.1 Answering Constructive Questions and Responding to Factual Statements
		6.6.2 Dealing with Unfair Criticism, Killer Arguments and Deadlocked Situations
		6.6.3 Interrupt Deadlocked Discussions with Metacommunication
		6.6.4 4 Strategies for Different Situations in the Discussion
	References
7 Mastering Virtual Presentations
	7.1 Preparation
		7.1.1 What Remains the Same
		7.1.2 What is Different
		7.1.3 What Additional Elements Are There
	7.2 Shortly Before Starting the Presentation
		7.2.1 What Remains the Same
		7.2.2 What is Different
		7.2.3 What Additional Elements Are There
	7.3 Introduction
		7.3.1 What Remains the Same
		7.3.2 What is Different
		7.3.3 What Additional Elements Are There
	7.4 Main Part
		7.4.1 What Remains the Same
		7.4.2 What is Different
		7.4.3 What Additional Elements Are There
	7.5 Conclusion
		7.5.1 What Remains the Same
		7.5.2 What is Different
		7.5.3 What Additional Elements Are There
	7.6 Discussion
		7.6.1 What Remains the Same
		7.6.2 What Additional Elements Are There
	7.7 Follow-Up After a Virtual Scientific Presentation
		7.7.1 What Remains the Same
	References