Presenting Scientific Findings at Conferences

Think about the last presentation you sat through. Do you remember anything from it? Probably not. Most presentations fail because they are: ❌ Overloaded with bullet points ❌ Devoid of emotion ❌ Data dumps with no clear story The good news? You can make your presentation unforgettable with these 7 simple shifts: 1. Start with a Hook, Not an Intro Most presenters begin with "I'm excited to be here today..." and lose the audience immediately. Fix: Grab attention from the start. Example: “Your company is losing $10M a year—and you don’t even know why.” 2. Tell a Story, Not Just Data People remember stories, not statistics. Instead of listing facts, wrap them in a compelling narrative. Fix: Use the “Problem → Struggle → Solution” technique. Example: "Before using our system, Sarah’s team spent 3 hours a day on reports. She tried different tools, but nothing worked—until she found our solution. Now? Just 15 minutes a day." 3. Use Contrast & Surprise The brain is wired for novelty. If your presentation sounds predictable, people will tune out. Fix: Vary your tone, pace, and visuals. Drop in an unexpected question, statistic, or pause to keep them engaged. 4. Say Less, Mean More Too much information overloads the audience. They’ll remember nothing. Fix: Cut the fluff. Stick to one core message per slide, per section, per speech. 5. Make It Visual Bullet points don’t inspire. Images and metaphors do. Fix: Instead of saying “Our product is faster,” show a race car next to a bicycle. 6. End with a Bang, Not a Fizzle Most presentations end with “Thank you” and no real impact. Fix: Leave them with one key idea and a clear next step. Example: “If you only take away one thing today, let it be this…” 7. Master the Pause Most speakers talk too fast and leave no room for ideas to sink in. Fix: Silence is power. Pause after key points to let them land. 💡 A great presentation isn’t about information—it’s about transformation. Make your next one impossible to forget. What’s the most memorable presentation you’ve ever seen? Drop a comment below! ⬇

Your first words can make or break your presentation. Here are 12 ways to introduce your idea powerfully: 1. Start with a myth-busting question: Example:  Take a common myth related to your industry. Ask: "How many of you believe this is true?" Then say: “I’m here to bust this myth!” 2. Quote a thought leader to “borrow” authority: Example: "Steve Jobs once said, 'Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.'" 3. Share a surprising statistic to hook the audience: Example: "Did you know that 90% of the data in the world today was created in the last two years alone?" Bonus: To enhance impact, repeat the number afterwards (e.g. “90%!”) 4. Tell a story to connect emotionally. Example: "Let me tell you about a little girl who changed her community with a simple idea." 5. Show a captivating visual to spark conversation. Example: "This is what the future might look like" Bonus: If you used AI to create the image, credit it. 6. Ask a question the audience relates to. Example: "By a show of hands, how many of you have experienced this issue personally?" 7. Use humor to lighten the mood. Example: Use a relevant joke or funny observation about the topic or industry. Watch-out: Don’t use a clichéd joke and expect the audience to laugh. 8. State a bold claim to challenge assumptions. Example: "I'm here to tell you that the traditional schooling system is failing our students today." 9. Play an audio clip to engage the senses. Example: "Listen to this sound—it's the rate of a heart beating in a high-stress situation." 10. Begin with historical context for background. Example: "Back in 1920, this technology was just a wild idea—today, it's a reality that's changing everything." Watch-out: Don’t use a long, boring historical fact. 11. Present a problem to highlight a need. Example: "What if I told you 70% of our project failures stem from a single overlooked factor?" 12. Use a prop to help visualize concepts. Example: "This ordinary-looking pen has a story that might just change how you view writing forever." A powerful starter makes a great first impression. And creates momentum to spark off your talk. Remember: Fortune favors the prepared. So save this- it'll come in handy before your next presentation. Want to impress the next time you speak? Follow Nausheen I. Chen to never miss a tip. P.S. Which starter will you pick?

Here are three of the most powerful openers you can use for your presentation (with real-life examples): 1. Relational Daniel Pink started his TED Talk with a confession: “I need to make a confession at the outset here. A little over 20 years ago, I did something that I regret, something that I'm not particularly proud of.” By leading with vulnerability, he earns trust. It’s not his data or credentials that draw people in; it’s his honesty. Use it when:  You need to build warmth and credibility fast. 2. Disruptive In her TED Talk, Pamela Meyer walked on stage and said: “Okay, now I don’t want to alarm anybody in this room, but it’s just come to my attention that the person to your right is a liar. Also, the person to your left is a liar. Also, the person sitting in your very seats is a liar. We’re all liars.” The audience laughs, but they’re hooked. She has just reframed the topic of deception in a way they didn’t expect. Shock. Humor. Curiosity. All in the first ten seconds. Use it when: Your audience feels complacent or distracted. 3. Authority Martin Luther King Jr. began his “I Have a Dream” speech with: “Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today, signed the Emancipation Proclamation.” By echoing Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, King immediately positioned the Civil Rights movement as a continuation of America’s founding ideals. He then continued by pointing out how the promise of the Emancipation Proclamation had yet to be completely fulfilled. This stark contrast created a dilemma… American ideals weren’t being upheld, and that was a problem. This intro grabbed his audience’s attention and set him up perfectly to deliver his core message. Use it when: The moment calls for gravity. Every audience asks three questions in the first 30 seconds: - Do I like you?  - Do I trust you?  - Do I need to listen? Any of these three openers can help you address each question. #PresentationSkills #BusinessStorytelling #PublicSpeaking

“I’m sorry, but we’re not convinced.” That’s what a group of seasoned investors said after listening to a perfectly structured pitch by a VP from a promising fintech startup. This VP had spent three sleepless weeks on the deck. 32 slides. Charts. Graphs. TAM, SAM, SOM. Revenue projections. Burn rate. Customer acquisition cost to lifetime value ratio? Check. He had it all. And yet, something was missing. ⸻ I met him a day later. He looked exhausted. Frustrated. Angry. “I don’t get it,” he said. “They asked for data—I gave it. They wanted clarity—I gave it. They asked tough questions—I had answers.” Then I asked him, “But where was the story?” He frowned. “What story? I’m not here to perform. I’m here to present facts.” Exactly the problem. ⸻ In the next 3 days, we didn’t change the product. We didn’t redesign the slides. We rewrote the narrative. I asked him to start with this: “10 years ago, my father walked into a bank branch. He left confused, embarrassed—and without a loan. He didn’t understand the form. The language. I built this product for people like him. Not for the urban elite—but for the India that still stands in queues.” We layered the pitch with emotional depth. A real origin story. Stories of users. Moments of pain. Moments of possibility. ⸻ He walked into the same investor room again—same faces, same metrics—but this time, something was different. There was silence after his story. Then… one investor leaned forward. “You should’ve started with this last time.” They asked fewer questions. They felt more connected. They saw the vision, not just the numbers. And yes—the deal closed. ⸻ 💡 Here’s the truth most leaders ignore: Data is the skeleton. But storytelling is the soul. People don’t just buy your logic. They buy your why. You’re not pitching numbers. You’re pitching meaning. ⸻ So ask yourself: Are you just informing? Or are you truly influencing? Want to be a Super Hero at work , now how to tell great stories #Storytelling #ExecutivePresence #LeadershipCommunication #PublicSpeaking #InvestorPitch #SoftSkills #BusinessStrategy #CXOContent #CorporateTraining #PersuasionSkills #LinkedInForLeaders #NarrativeStrategy

I never set out to be a public speaker but somewhere along the way it became a big part of my work. In that time, I've found a four-part framework that is effective for teaching in a memorable way. I call it the four S's. Most public talks start with some version of “It’s great to be here.” That’s exactly when people start checking out. If you want to speak in a way that actually sticks, try this instead. 1. Surprise Start strong. Say something unexpected, provocative, or even a little weird. The brain is wired to notice novelty—don’t waste the first 30 seconds on pleasantries. 2. Story Once you’ve got their attention, don’t give them a thesis—give them a tale. People think in narrative. Stories are how we’ve made sense of the world for thousands of years. 3. Stats Now that they’re leaning in, show them the receipts. Back your claims with data, studies, or vivid real-world examples. Credibility matters—but only after curiosity. 4. “So what?” Inspiration is nice, but application is better. End with a clear, compelling takeaway that answers the question: What should I do with this information today? Hope this framework helps a bit the next time you're asked to get in front of a crowd!

As I deliver #datastorytelling workshops to different organizations, I encounter a common misconception about how you should approach telling stories with data. To use a Lord of the Rings (LOTR) movie analogy, some #data professionals appear more focused on creating behind-the-scenes documentaries than actual narratives. They want to show the steps, methodologies, and approaches they used during their analysis rather than crafting a concise, compelling narrative. As a LOTR geek, I have watched many behind-the-scenes featurettes. However, I recognize that most people have only watched the LOTR movies and none of the documentaries. They're interested in compelling narratives--not the nitty-gritty of how the movies were made. When it comes to data stories, audiences are more interested in hearing an insightful narrative about a business problem or opportunity than an explanation of how you performed your analysis to assess the problem or opportunity. Taking a documentary approach with your data stories will introduce the following problems: ❌  Added complexity as you go into details that don’t matter to your audience (data collection/preparation, methodology, technical aspects, etc.). ❌  Loss of attention or interest as the audience waits to hear something meaningful. ❌  Less focused or clear communication as insights become buried in minutiae. ❌  Less time to discuss conclusions and determine next steps. ❌  Reduced actionability as extraneous details sidetrack the narrative and obscure the key takeaways. The only people who will get value from a behind-the-scenes documentary will be fellow data professionals. This is a much narrower audience than a broader business audience that is seeking insightful narratives about the business. I recommend delivering the narrative first and having your documentary ready in an appendix (if needed). Most of the time, no one will ask how you performed your analysis (unless they have questions about your numbers). With this approach, the audience will be focused on understanding your insight, implementing your recommendations, and taking action. That's a win-win. How do you avoid telling documentaries instead of narratives? 🔽 🔽 🔽 🔽 🔽 Craving more of my data storytelling, analytics, and data culture content? Sign up for my brand new newsletter today: https://lnkd.in/gRNMYJQ7

Not attending conferences in the right way could be costing you your career! Here's a step-by-step guide 👇 Pre-Conference Preparation: a. Research the Conference: Understand the theme, topics, and speakers. Familiarize yourself with the schedule and any special events. b. Set Goals: Define what you want to achieve at the conference, whether it's networking, learning about specific research, or exploring career opportunities. c. Prepare Questions: Have thoughtful questions ready for speakers, presenters, and fellow attendees. Networking Strategies: a.Create business cards (which may be a surprise for the Indian Life Science community) or a virtual equivalent. Include your contact information, academic affiliation, and areas of interest. For academic conferences, consider printing a postcard-sized version of your poster with your details on it and hand it over to people you are conversing with while inviting them to visit your poster. b. Social Media Presence: Follow the conference on social media, use official hashtags, and connect with attendees before the event. c. Attend Networking Events: Participate in pre-conference mixers, workshops, or networking sessions to meet fellow students and professionals. Conference Day: a. Arrive Early: Be punctual to make the most of registration, networking, and any early sessions. b. Dress Professionally: Wear appropriate attire; you may meet potential employers or collaborators. c. Take Notes: Bring a notebook or use digital tools to jot down key points from presentations, discussions, and conversations. d. Engage Actively: Ask questions during Q&A sessions, participate in discussions, and share your thoughts. Poster Sessions and Exhibits: a. Review Posters in Advance: Identify posters or exhibits of interest and plan your visit. b. Engage with Presenters: Approach poster presenters or exhibitors, ask questions, and discuss their work. Attend Relevant Sessions: a. Plan Your Schedule: Choose sessions aligned with your interests and career goals. b. Diversify Topics: Attend sessions outside your immediate focus to broaden your knowledge. Post-Conference Follow-Up: a. Connect on Social Media: Follow up with contacts on LinkedIn or other professional networks. b. Send Thank-You Emails: Express gratitude to speakers, presenters, and anyone you networked with. c. Reflect on Learnings: Take time to reflect on what you learned and how it aligns with your academic and career goals. Apply Knowledge: a. Incorporate Insights: Use new knowledge and insights gained from the conference in your studies and research. b. Share with Peers: Discuss your experiences with classmates, share your interesting findings. This is how you should attend a conference! Feel free to add to the list or share any specific tips or strategies that have helped you maximize your networking experience at events. #conference2024 #networkingtips #linkedintopvoices #jobseekers #jobsearchstrategies

Under the microscope, tissues and cells look complex and beautiful. But without context, their story can be hard to follow, much like the science behind them. That’s why I’m so passionate about accessible science communication. In biotech and life sciences, breakthroughs like gene editing and cell therapies are extraordinary. But if they’re hidden behind technical language, we miss the chance to inspire, build trust, and show their real-world impact. At Thermo Fisher Scientific, I’ve seen how storytelling can unlock that understanding. We tell stories about the researchers, patients and innovators behind science to bring discoveries to life, use formats like podcasting to make complex topics approachable to spark curiosity beyond the lab, and social media to turn small scientific details into moments of wonder for a broad audience. The communicator’s role is to help people see both the beauty and the meaning behind the work so that people can feel connected to it. The most successful science communicators are shifting their focus from complexity to clarity. 💡 They translate research into stories that resonate with non-scientists. 💡 They highlight the why behind innovation, not just the how. 💡 They use plain language without sacrificing scientific accuracy. When we make science more accessible, we don’t dilute it. We amplify it. And in doing so, we bring more people into the conversation, which is where real impact begins.

What if the real barrier to research impact isn’t its complexity but how we talk about it? Academics are often trained to clarify, explain and condense. But too often, this means stripping away the richness that makes our work meaningful. In the pursuit of accessibility, nuance is lost. We worry that public communication requires dumbing down. It doesn't. The key is not simplification. It’s reframing. Reframing doesn’t dilute complexity; it gives it shape, purpose, and resonance. It starts not with data, but with values. When we frame research through the lens of what people care about, like fairness, dignity, community, or autonomy, we make it more than intelligible. We make it relatable. And once research feels relevant, it becomes powerful. Take entrepreneurship research. Academics often describe entrepreneurs as opportunity recognisers or resource orchestrators. Accurate, but the terms are jargonistic and potentially alienating. Reframed through values, the same research becomes something else: 🔹 How people take initiative in the face of uncertainty. 🔹 How communities respond to exclusion by creating their own solutions. 🔹 How young people or other groups reclaim agency in economies that have closed traditional pathways. It's the same ideas, but now they're a story about resilience, justice, and hope. Now people can not only understand the concepts, but they can also relate to them. The science of framing shows that how we structure information, what we highlight, what we omit, and the metaphors we use, profoundly influence how ideas are received. Not because people are irrational, but because they rely on mental shortcuts to make sense of an overwhelming world. This matters in a world grappling with inequality, misinformation, polarisation, and systemic challenges. Research can and should inform public debate. But only if we learn to tell stories that carry ideas across boundaries of discipline, sector, and ideology. It isn't a matter of whether people are capable of understanding complex research, but whether we’ve done the work to frame it in terms that matter. In short: Stop explaining. Start connecting. #ResearchImpact #Entrepreneurship #PublicScholarship #ScienceCommunication

Most DeepTech founders either dumb down their science (lose credibility) or write academic papers (lose readers). To avoid this trap, here's my 5-step roadmap on how to explain complex tech without compromise: Step 1: The "Technical Sandwich" Method. To master this: → Start with a simple outcome ("We reduce ocean plastic by 40%") → Layer in the technical mechanism ("using bio-enzymatic polymer chains") → Close with the human impact ("saving 2M marine animals annually") Start here, then move onto Step 2. Step 2: Choose your Precision Framework. Now you have two options: 1/ Analogies (quantum computing = library with infinite books in one space) 2/ Metrics (latency from 200ms to 3ms = Netflix vs buffering) There's no wrong answer, but you must decide. Step 3: Master two Core Communication Pillars. 1/ Simple Hooks. → 9 words or less in your opener → Lead with outcomes, not process → Use contrast ("$100K sensors vs our $4,900 buoy") Once you master this, focus on: 2/ Technical Credibility. → Drop one precise term per paragraph → Link to peer-reviewed sources → Show the math when it matters Step 4: Know when to embrace complexity. Most founders oversimplify everything. Your audience is smarter than you think. Here are your options: → Technical founders? Go deeper on mechanism → Investors? Show the physics constraint you solved → General audience? Keep the complexity in comments The key is matching depth to reader expertise. Step 5: The credibility check. This final step is how you: → Validate claims with independent sources → Show real deployment numbers → Name the institutions backing you Do this and you can unlock both reach and respect. It's as easy as that. — What's the hardest technical concept you've had to explain in plain English? PS. I've ghostwritten for 10+ climate tech founders. The ones who balance simplicity with precision get 10x the engagement.