To many, the mere mention of public speaking is enough to make palms sweat and heart rates accelerate. As an academic, sharing your research is an integral part of your career, whether it’s with large groups of people or just a single senior scientist. Being able to clearly communicate your work allows for wider dissemination and impact and encourages collaboration and engagement, so brushing up on this skill will enhance your research experience and could even open doors for you, too.

As with any unfavourable task, there are methods and strategies you can use to make the experience less daunting – enjoyable, even! Simple shifts in mindset can help you approach the dreaded presentation in a different way, and practice runs can leave you feeling more prepared.

We caught up with expert speaker Caroline Goyder, author of the best-selling books Gravitas and Find Your Voice. Caroline’s experience spans training both senior management within organizations and private individuals in how to brush up on speaking publicly. Here are a few key things we learned from her on how to find your voice:

Be intentional

Before you start your presentation, take a few minutes to reflect on what you hope to gain from this experience – is it to spark conversation about your chosen topic, gaining an idea of what types of questions your audience has about your work? It might even be as simple as gaining experience with presenting to different groups of people. Whatever it is, make sure you have a clear end goal in sight, and have a rough plan of how you’ll get there.

“Speaking – in any circumstances – is a very learnable skill.” Caroline Goyder

Consider your audience, too. Firstly, who are they? Is it a group of students, peers, or senior scientists? What do you want them to think and feel during and following your presentation? Is there anything you want them to do, ie do you want the session to be interactive or encourage people to approach you with questions after the presentation? If your audience were to take one thing away from your presentation, what do you want it to be? People may be there to make connections, which is mutually beneficial for you – any opportunity to build out your professional network is worth taking in academia!

Caroline refers to this as audience centricity; understanding your audience’s values, hopes, and pain points can give you direction in your presentation. If you can sympathize with their mindsets and address a pain point in your talk, they’ll take immense value from your work and be much more likely to engage.

Big vs small audiences

There are some important differences to consider when presenting to larger vs smaller audiences. Smaller gigs will feel more intimate while presenting to a sea of faces risks not making that all-important connection.

Caroline proposed that some people operate as cats, and others operate as dogs. Those with a dog archetype value connection and desire to be liked. They prioritize relationships and speak to engage. On the other hand, those with a cat archetype value status – they want to be respected, operate from their position, aren’t swayed by conflict, and are comfortable with silence. Using this analogy can help you start strong with audiences, particularly when they’re of a smaller size – a quick round-the-room introduction exercise might help you to decipher who fits into each category. Who in your audience was willing to put their hand up and introduce themselves first, and who was more withdrawn or reluctant? Calling on the more extroverted members of your audience throughout your presentation may lead to a more interactive session.

When it comes to big audiences, they may need a bit more guidance: social conformity makes people less likely to engage in a big group of people, so opening up with an informal activity or introduction might loosen people up a bit and make your presentation a little smoother. A quick ‘raise your hand’ activity is an easy one, especially if you can weave some humour in somewhere. Remember, you’re in control here – the audience is here to see you, learn from you, and, hopefully, gain something from the experience. Making people feel comfortable early on will mean smoother sailing throughout.

Centeredness

Your mind is your worst enemy when it comes to public speaking, but with a few mindfulness techniques, you can remain centered and calm from start to finish. Caroline suggests grounding yourself before you speak – a few deep breaths can go a long way. During your presentation, use pauses to center yourself between thoughts, remembering to speak one sentence at a time. This allows you to be present to one person or part of the room, keeping your mind quiet and allowing you to take your time. When you’re grounded, you’ll be better equipped to read the room and know when it’s appropriate to change gear.

Be yourself

“The speakers that leave a lasting impact are those that speak their truth.” Caroline Goyder

This is your work – your passion. An audience can tell when a speaker is truly passionate about their topic, so don’t be afraid to let your enthusiasm shine through – they'll know you’re enjoying it, and they’ll come away feeling energized, too. If it’s relevant, include personal anecdotes or descriptions as to how you reached a certain result, how you celebrated a huge win or wallowed during endless nights spent troubleshooting – anything at all. This is your time to share your work and personal experience, so why not make the very most of it?

Learn more about Caroline below:

Caroline Goyder | ABOUT ME

Twitter/X: @CarolineGoyder

Instagram: @carolinegoyder