Public speaking and storytelling

Target Audience:

All VIB staff

Location:

Brussels - VUB Learning & Innovation Center (LIC) | room LIC.4.09 Quebec

Duration:

4 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.

Learning outcomes

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.

Software demonstrated

PowerPoint

Other tools are available and participants are encouraged to use what they are comfortable with (i.e. Canva, GIMP, Inkscape, Google slides, etc)

Extra information

For specific presentations (such as invited keynote speaker, industry presentations, etc.), please contact trainingandconferences@vib.be for 1-on-1 coaching for science communication.

Testimonials

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

VIB Training & Conferences, BE

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.

ORCID

Contact Matheus Lourenço :

matheus.lourenco@vib.be