Sharing Your Science: Simple Tips for Presenting Your Research (Without Panicking!)

Hey there…!

So you’ve done the research, maybe even started writing it up… now comes the part where you have to actually talk about it in front of other people. Cue the sweaty palms and racing heart, right? Whether it’s a casual lab meeting update, a formal conference talk, or standing by a poster hoping someone stops by, presenting your work can feel pretty nerve-wracking.

I definitely still get butterflies before presenting, but over time, I’ve picked up a few things that make the process less terrifying and more focused on what actually matters: sharing your interesting work with others. Here are some simple, practical tips that might help you too.

Step 1: Know Your Audience & Your Goal

Before you even think about slides or posters, ask yourself:

• Who am I talking to? Are they experts in your specific niche? A broader audience from your department? General scientists at a large conference? Tailor your language, jargon, and level of detail accordingly. Avoid overwhelming non-experts with minutiae, but give specialists enough substance.
• What’s my one key message? Just like with writing, you can’t cover everything. What’s the single most important thing you want your audience to walk away remembering? Focus your presentation around that core point.
• What’s the time limit? Find out and respect it! Nothing is worse than being cut off or having to rush through your crucial findings. Plan realistically for the time you have.

Step 2: Crafting Your Narrative (Yes, It’s a Story!)

A good presentation tells a story, guiding the audience logically from the background to your conclusions. A classic structure often works well:

The Hook (Introduction)

Start by grabbing their interest. Briefly set the context – what’s the broader problem or area? Why is it important? Then state the specific question or gap your research addresses. Clearly state your objective.

The ‘How’ (Methods)

Briefly explain what you did. Focus on the key aspects of your approach that are necessary to understand the results. You usually don’t need every single detail (unless it’s a specific methods talk). Visuals like diagrams or flowcharts can be great here.

The ‘What’ (Results)

This is the core of your presentation. Show your key findings clearly. Use well-designed, easy-to-understand figures and graphs. Don’t just flash them up – walk the audience through the data, pointing out the important trends or comparisons that support your main message.

The ‘So What?’ (Discussion/Conclusion)

Interpret your findings. What do these results mean? How do they answer your initial question? Briefly relate them back to the bigger picture or existing literature if relevant. Reiterate your main take-home message. It’s also good practice to briefly mention key limitations or next steps.

The Landing (Summary & Thank You)

Wrap up with a very brief summary of the main point. Thank the audience for their attention, acknowledge collaborators, supervisors, and any funding sources. This clearly signals the end of your talk and transitions to Q&A.

Step 3: Slides/Posters That Help, Not Hurt

Your visuals are there to support your story, not replace it or confuse people.

• Less is More: Avoid cramming slides with text or putting too many figures on one slide. Keep it clean and focused. Use keywords and phrases, not full sentences (usually).
• Show, Don’t Just Tell: Use clear graphs, charts, images, and diagrams whenever possible. Visuals are often much easier to grasp quickly than text. Aim for roughly one key idea or figure per slide.
• Make it Readable: Use large enough fonts (seriously, check from the back of a room if possible!). Ensure good colour contrast (e.g., dark text on a light background or vice versa).
• Keep it Consistent: Use a simple, clean presentation template. Keep fonts, colours, and layout style consistent throughout.
• For Posters: Think visual flow (often top-to-bottom columns). Use clear headings. Keep text blocks short and concise. Make your title and key finding really stand out. Ensure contact info is visible. The goal is to attract attention and facilitate conversation.

Step 4: Practice Makes… Less Panic!

You wouldn’t run a marathon without training, right?

• Rehearse Out Loud: This is crucial! Reading silently isn’t the same. Practice talking through your slides/poster. It helps you check the flow, identify awkward phrasing, and get comfortable with the material.
• Time Yourself: Do a timed run-through. Be realistic. If you’re running over, you must cut content – don’t just plan to talk faster on the day (it rarely works well).
• Anticipate Questions: Think about what parts might be unclear or what follow-up questions people might have. Prepare brief answers for likely questions.
• Managing Nerves:
  • Take a few slow, deep breaths before you start.
  • Remember, the audience is generally interested and wants to understand your work. They’re not usually there to trip you up.
  • It’s perfectly okay to pause briefly to gather your thoughts or take a sip of water.
  • Try to focus on the excitement of sharing something you’ve worked hard on, rather than worrying about being judged.

Step 5: The Q&A - Opportunity, Not Interrogation

The question-and-answer session can feel intimidating, but try to see it as a chance for discussion and clarification.

• Listen Carefully: Let the person finish their entire question before you jump in.
• Pause & Think: It’s okay to take a second to process the question before answering.
• Repeat/Rephrase: Repeating the question briefly can ensure you understood it correctly and gives you a moment to formulate your answer. (“So, if I understand correctly, you’re asking about…”)
• Be Honest: If you don’t know the answer, it’s much better to say so than to try and bluff. Offer to follow up: “That’s an interesting point, I haven’t specifically looked at that aspect, but it’s something I could consider/look into.”
• Keep it Concise: Answer the question directly without rambling.
• It’s Okay to Defer: If a question is very niche, off-topic, or would require a very long explanation, it’s okay to politely suggest discussing it further afterwards. (“That’s a great question that involves a bit more detail, perhaps we could chat about it after the session?”)
• Say Thank You: Thank the person for their question.

You’ll Get Better!

Presenting is a skill, and like any skill, it improves with practice. Your first few presentations might feel shaky, and that’s completely normal. Each time you do it, you’ll learn something and likely feel a bit more comfortable the next time.

Sharing your work is a vital part of the research process. Try to embrace it as a chance to connect with others, get valuable feedback, and contribute to your field. You’ve got this!