Public speaking and storytelling
Public speaking and storytelling
10 June 2026, 9h00 - 17h
General context
Great science deserves great storytelling. This training helps researchers craft compelling storylines for their work, visualize them effectively, and deliver presentations with confidence. You’ll learn how to strategically tailor your message to different audiences, structure your narrative for clarity and impact, and practice public speaking techniques that engage and persuade. By mastering these skills, you’ll transform complex research into memorable stories that resonate beyond the lab.
This training is intended for PhD students, postdocs, researchers, data professionals, engineers, technical staff, and anyone in a scientific or tech‑driven environment who wants to strengthen their storytelling and public speaking skills.
After completing this training, participants will be able to:
Identify the core message of their presentation/work/research and build a clear storyline.
Apply visualization techniques to support and enhance their narrative.
Select and adapt content for different audiences strategically.
Demonstrate effective public speaking skills, including voice, posture, and pacing.
Practice and refine delivery through feedback and self-assessment.
PowerPoint
Other tools are available and participants are encouraged to use what they are comfortable with (i.e. Canva, GIMP, Inkscape, Google slides, etc)
For specific presentations (such as invited keynote speaker, industry presentations, etc.), please contact trainingandconferences@vib.be for 1-on-1 coaching for science communication.
Even though I’ve been presenting for years in different settings, the training still offered a lot of useful insights and practical exercises that helped improve my own presentation skills. I’d definitely recommend it to anyone who presents to an audience, no matter how experienced they are.
Gonzalo Cordova
The training went beyond my expectations. In fact, this the 4th or 5th training I have taken on this topic and so far it has been the most useful one. The format with live exercises was extremely useful.
Jessica Vargas
Trainers
Matheus Lourenço
Matheus Lourenço is a science communication expert and trainer at VIB. A behaviour change specialist and Marie-Curie fellow with a joint PhD in Psychology from KU Leuven and Maastricht University, he pioneered innovative methodologies in tinnitus treatment and gathered accolades for his ability to make complex scientific approaches accessible to diverse audiences.
After completing his PhD, Matheus worked as a consultant to leading pharmaceutical companies, delivering strategic workshops worldwide. Now back in academia, he is committed to empowering researchers to communicate their work with clarity and impact, thereby strengthening the connection between science and society.
Program
Welcome and introduction
Audience selection and storyline creation
Break
Visualizing your storyline
Lunch
Public speaking theory
Break
Public speaking practice and feedback
Stage time (day to be determined in agreement with participants)
Presentation and feedback moment
Science communication presentation competition (TBD)
Practical info
10 June 2026
Antwerp - Campus Drie Eiken UAntwerpen
Universiteitsplein 1
2610 Antwerpen
Belgium
10 June 2026
Antwerp - Campus Drie Eiken UAntwerpen
Antwerp has a dense public transportation network. Buses and trams are available to take you to many different parts of the city. There are direct bus links to various other towns and cities as well. Plan your route using the De Lijn timetables.
- Campus Middelheim - Campus Groenenborger: around 7 min. on foot
- Campus Middelheim - Campus Drie Eiken: around 35 min.
- Campus Groenenborger - Campus Drie Eiken: around 45 min.
- Stadscampus - Campus Middelheim: around 45 min.
- Stadscampus - Campus Groenenborger: around 55 min.
- Stadscampus - Campus Drie Eiken: around 60 min.
Did you know Antwerp also has a water bus? You can use it to travel between the Antwerp city centre and nearby towns.
10 June 2026
Antwerp - Campus Drie Eiken UAntwerpen
Antwerp is a bike-friendly city. Get to know the smart and cheap way to travel around in Antwerp fot students.
For short trips in and around the city, a rental bike is ideal. Apart from the student bicycle and the Velo city bikes, there are several other bike rental options.
Do you need to cross the Scheldt? Check the availability of the bike lifts and escalators of the tunnels, or take Antwerp’s ferry service with your bike.
Cycling between campuses:
- Stadscampus - Campus Middelheim: 20 min.
- Stadscampus - Campus Groenenborger: 25 min.
- Stadscampus - Campus Drie Eiken: 30 min.
- Campus Middelheim - Campus Groenenborger: 4 min.
- Campus Middelheim - Campus Drie Eiken: 10 min.
- Campus Groenenborger - Campus Drie Eiken: 8 min.
The newest way to travel around Antwerp is by shared electric scooter.
10 June 2026
Antwerp - Campus Drie Eiken UAntwerpen
It’s recommended to travel to and in Antwerp by public transport. If you are travelling by car, take the following into account:
- There are P+R zones where you can park on various main roads into Antwerp. They are ideal places to switch to bus, tram or bike a few kilometres from the campus.
- The Antwerp city centre and part of Linkeroever (Antwerp’s left bank) are a low-emission zone: highly polluting vehicles are not allowed into the city.
- Keep in mind that the zone around the Stadscampus is a residential area with a speed limit of 20 km/h. Pedestrians freely make use of the entire road.
- Take possible road works and events into account.
- Within Antwerp, you can make use of the taxi service.
Campus Drie Eiken en Campus Groenenborger have free university parking spots.
Carpooling is not only fun and ecological, but also good for your wallet and you get to meet new people. Are you looking for a car ride or a fellow passenger, occasionally or daily? Take a look at our carpool platform.