Science Figured Out
General context
Did you know that, along with you, nearly 10.000 junior researchers are conducting a doctoral or postdoctoral study in Flanders at the moment? While these researches find their way to colleagues in the academia through scientific publications and conferences, only a small amount is brought under the attention of the general public.
Enter the “Science figured out”-project. Through this project Scriptie vzw, organiser of the yearly PhD Cup, wants to teach you how to get non-experts excited about your research ànd help you to convey insights of the doctoral research you are (or have been) working on for years to the general public! Not through an academic lecture, but told as a compelling and comprehensible story for non-peers. A daylong workshop on presentation techniques will help you rise up to the challenge: explain the core of your PhD research in a clear and convincing 3-minute pitch. Each participant will receive a copy of the book “The Floor is Yours”.
And that’s not all: 8 of the participants will have their “PhD pitch” recorded and published online. Video recordings will take place ca. three weeks after the workshop, allowing the selected researchers to develop and tweak their presentation.
THE WORKSHOP “Pitching your research” by The Floor is Yours
Participants: 12 doctoral researchers and postdocs
Language: English
Duration: full day workshop
Aim: the participants learn to give a clear and convincing pitch of their research, tailored to the target audience.
Approach: a combination of theory, practical exercises and inspiring cases. We will be using research examples from the participants themselves, which we will have requested beforehand and have incorporated in the workshop. The participants will present their own research during this workshop.
THE RECORDINGS “Science figured out” by Storyrunner
Language: English or Dutch (as you prefer)
Duration: 1 ½ hour
After the workshop “Pitching your research” all participants will be asked to further develop their pitch. 8 researchers will then be selected for the Science Figured Out video recordings. If you’re chosen, you’ll be given 3 weeks to work on your presentation before pitching in front of the camera. During this time we will follow up on your pitch and provide you with the necessary feedback in order to get you well prepared for the recordings.
You will be free to choose whether you wish to pitch in English or Dutch – the final video will have both English and Dutch subtitles available. Recordings will take place at your university and will be performed by Storyrunner, a video company with a passion for science. The videos will be published on the “Science figured out”-website and social media channels. You will off course receive your video file in HD, free to use.
Doctoral and postdoctoral researchers of VIB.
- Participation is free for VIB participants.
- You have the opportunity to upload a short video explaining why you want to join this training. If more people interested than seats available, we will consider your motivation explained in this video.
- Note that upon no show without valid justification a fee of € 200 will be charged and you will be blacklisted for the VIB training program for 1 year. Click here for more information
Trainers
The Floor is Yours
Hans Van De Water was tired of listening to poor research presentations. As a regular organizer of events, he started looking for a magic formula to good presentations.
During one of these events he invited Toon Verlinden to deliver a talk on water purification. His presentation was clear, teasing and dynamic. Hans asked Toon to put their heads together.
They emerged with a joint purpose: support researchers at universities, university colleges and organizations in bringing clear and attractive research presentations.
Because life is too short for bad presentations…
https://thefloorisyours.be/en/
Program
The workshop will cover these topics:
• Structure: how should I build up my pitch? What is the difference between a formal and informal pitch?
• Attention: how can I make my pitch interesting for my audience?
• Simple: how can I simplify a complex story for my audience to understand?
• Body language and voice: how can I best use these to make my message come across?
• Camera: how am I to act in front of a camera?
• Slides: should I use slides or objects to draw people’s attention?
Practical info
Leuven - Park Inn by Radisson
Martelarenlaan 36
3010 Leuven
Belgium
Leuven - Park Inn by Radisson
The hotel is located 300m from Leuven Central Station. The hotel connects to Leuven Central Station by a pedestrian bridge.
Leuven - Park Inn by Radisson
Park Inn hotel has no own parking. It is possible to park underground in P1-Parking Station Leuven, Martelarenlaan 4, 3010 Leuven or in parking De Bond, Martelarenlaan 18, 3010 Leuven.
Leuven - Park Inn by Radisson
+32 16 61 66 02
sales.leuven@parkinn.com
The location of the recordings on 2 July 2019 is to be determined when the cadidates for the pitch are known.