Speak with purpose: Storytelling and presentation skills for non-researchers
Speak with purpose: Storytelling and presentation skills for non-researchers
1 December 2026, 9h00 - 17h00
General context
Whether you're aligning teams, presenting to leadership, or briefing external partners, clear and persuasive communication is key. This workshop helps VIB administrative, managerial, and professional staff turn complex information into structured, engaging messages and deliver them with confidence in their day-to-day work.
After this training, you will be able to:
Identify and structure your core message.
Translate complex information into clear, impactful content.
Adapt your communication for different stakeholders.
Apply storytelling techniques to meetings and presentations.
Deliver with confidence using voice, posture, and pacing.
An interactive session combining short theory inputs with practice on real workplace scenarios. Includes hand-on exercises, peer feedback, and practical tools to help you communicate with clarity and authority.
This training is intended for administrative staff, project managers, team coordinators, communication professionals, and other HQ-based professionals who want to strengthen their storytelling and public speaking skills in a professional context.
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.
Practical info
01 December 2026
VIB HQ
Suzanne Tassierstraat 1
9052 Gent
Belgium
01 December 2026
VIB HQ
There is a shuttle bus (MaxMobiel) that runs between Ghent Sint Pieters railway station and Eiland Zwijnaarde. The VIB stop is the third (and last) stop on the inward journey. You can also get off the bus at Mainfreight (first stop) and cover the last 350 metres on foot.
You can find the schedule via this link: https://max-mobiel.be/en/shuttle-lines/shuttle-line/gent-sint-pieters-eiland-zwijnaarde
Please inform us upfront if you wish to make use of this shuttle so we can provide you with a QR code that you will need to show to the driver.
01 December 2026
VIB HQ
Use the high-quality cycling infrastructure to and from the business park and borrow shared bikes from Blue Bike, Donkey Republic or Dott (electric bikes) from various pick-up points in Ghent and the surrounding area. You can also quickly and easily plan your route using the online Cycling Route Planner of the City of Ghent.
01 December 2026
VIB HQ
Parking is only allowed in the Maaiveldparking (Bertha De Vriesestraat 5, Zwijnaarde). Reservations in advance are required, so please let us know your license plate if you wish us to reserve a parking spot.
