Duncan Yellowlees
@dyellowlees.bsky.social
Academic Research talks don't have to be shit!
✨ Researcher trainer
✨ Opinions about research culture
✨ Maker and fan of anything with dragons
Supporting phd's/ecrs/academics to do better more engaged and effective presentations
| He/Him
✨ Researcher trainer
✨ Opinions about research culture
✨ Maker and fan of anything with dragons
Supporting phd's/ecrs/academics to do better more engaged and effective presentations
| He/Him
Pinned
Hello to my new followers!
I'll do a little intro
• I teach researchers how to present their work effectively
• Storytelling, slides, preparation, I got you!
• Opinionated about research culture
• Background in sci comm & museums
• I also make stuff, pics below!
I'll do a little intro
• I teach researchers how to present their work effectively
• Storytelling, slides, preparation, I got you!
• Opinionated about research culture
• Background in sci comm & museums
• I also make stuff, pics below!
Here are some bad bits of commonly given presentation advice to avoid
- make eye contact
- Just tell stories
- Start with a Joke
- Be yourself
- Use your slides as handouts
- More visuals!
- Memorize everything
- Dress more formally than your audience
#Presentation #Academic
- make eye contact
- Just tell stories
- Start with a Joke
- Be yourself
- Use your slides as handouts
- More visuals!
- Memorize everything
- Dress more formally than your audience
#Presentation #Academic
November 13, 2025 at 9:03 AM
Here are some bad bits of commonly given presentation advice to avoid
- make eye contact
- Just tell stories
- Start with a Joke
- Be yourself
- Use your slides as handouts
- More visuals!
- Memorize everything
- Dress more formally than your audience
#Presentation #Academic
- make eye contact
- Just tell stories
- Start with a Joke
- Be yourself
- Use your slides as handouts
- More visuals!
- Memorize everything
- Dress more formally than your audience
#Presentation #Academic
My Newsletter has over 500 researchers in it, all getting better at presentations every week!
Come and join us
thoughtful-motivator...
Come and join us
thoughtful-motivator...
November 12, 2025 at 9:51 AM
My Newsletter has over 500 researchers in it, all getting better at presentations every week!
Come and join us
thoughtful-motivator...
Come and join us
thoughtful-motivator...
Do you want to get better at giving presentations and talks?
Join over 700 researchers and get weekly tips, thoughts, and the odd rant straight to your inbox!
thoughtful-motivator...
Join over 700 researchers and get weekly tips, thoughts, and the odd rant straight to your inbox!
thoughtful-motivator...
November 11, 2025 at 7:21 AM
Do you want to get better at giving presentations and talks?
Join over 700 researchers and get weekly tips, thoughts, and the odd rant straight to your inbox!
thoughtful-motivator...
Join over 700 researchers and get weekly tips, thoughts, and the odd rant straight to your inbox!
thoughtful-motivator...
If you want to take the stress out of building academic talks
Check out my 6 day email course which will teach you step by step how to build focused, engaging talks stress free
thoughtful-motivator...
Check out my 6 day email course which will teach you step by step how to build focused, engaging talks stress free
thoughtful-motivator...
November 10, 2025 at 8:33 AM
If you want to take the stress out of building academic talks
Check out my 6 day email course which will teach you step by step how to build focused, engaging talks stress free
thoughtful-motivator...
Check out my 6 day email course which will teach you step by step how to build focused, engaging talks stress free
thoughtful-motivator...
If you want presentation tips right to your inbox, join the 700 other researchers who currently get the 'presenter academy newsletter' - together we can make rubbish academic talks a thing of the past.
thoughtful-motivator...
thoughtful-motivator...
November 7, 2025 at 10:54 AM
If you want presentation tips right to your inbox, join the 700 other researchers who currently get the 'presenter academy newsletter' - together we can make rubbish academic talks a thing of the past.
thoughtful-motivator...
thoughtful-motivator...
In DY training we are experts in presentation skills specifically for Universities.
Want your PHD's and ECR's to be more confident at conferences?
This is what we do 👇
Want your PHD's and ECR's to be more confident at conferences?
This is what we do 👇
November 6, 2025 at 8:58 AM
In DY training we are experts in presentation skills specifically for Universities.
Want your PHD's and ECR's to be more confident at conferences?
This is what we do 👇
Want your PHD's and ECR's to be more confident at conferences?
This is what we do 👇
Want to know what we talk about in my Presenter Academy newsletter?
Here is a sneak peak
Interested, comment below and I'll send you the sign up link.
Here is a sneak peak
Interested, comment below and I'll send you the sign up link.
November 5, 2025 at 9:10 AM
Want to know what we talk about in my Presenter Academy newsletter?
Here is a sneak peak
Interested, comment below and I'll send you the sign up link.
Here is a sneak peak
Interested, comment below and I'll send you the sign up link.
Lots of people thing presentation is 1 thing. I’ll do this one workshop which will cover it all.
Its not. There are SO MANY tools you can use and need to use to do it well;
Storytelling
Body language & deliver
Preparation techniques
Slide design
Interactivity
Q&A
Structure
Its not. There are SO MANY tools you can use and need to use to do it well;
Storytelling
Body language & deliver
Preparation techniques
Slide design
Interactivity
Q&A
Structure
November 4, 2025 at 7:25 AM
Lots of people thing presentation is 1 thing. I’ll do this one workshop which will cover it all.
Its not. There are SO MANY tools you can use and need to use to do it well;
Storytelling
Body language & deliver
Preparation techniques
Slide design
Interactivity
Q&A
Structure
Its not. There are SO MANY tools you can use and need to use to do it well;
Storytelling
Body language & deliver
Preparation techniques
Slide design
Interactivity
Q&A
Structure
Presenting to small audiences
If there’s 6 people or less, then you have a very intimate setting.
Full on PPT to 5 or 6 people gets a bit awkward.
So instead, make it a conversation or discussion. Don't be afraid to throw out your plan if the context changes.
#Academia #PHDChat
If there’s 6 people or less, then you have a very intimate setting.
Full on PPT to 5 or 6 people gets a bit awkward.
So instead, make it a conversation or discussion. Don't be afraid to throw out your plan if the context changes.
#Academia #PHDChat
November 3, 2025 at 8:21 AM
Quite an epic bike ride today over the moors of Northumberland.
It is getting cooolld though!
20 miles 1875ft elevation
It is getting cooolld though!
20 miles 1875ft elevation
November 2, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Quite an epic bike ride today over the moors of Northumberland.
It is getting cooolld though!
20 miles 1875ft elevation
It is getting cooolld though!
20 miles 1875ft elevation
Want to engage industry in your research?
Maybe for collaboration or commercialization. Go to industry events, network, talk to people, or better yet get speaking slots at those events!
You can show off your work to 200 potential partners in depth, just by doing 1 presentation.
Maybe for collaboration or commercialization. Go to industry events, network, talk to people, or better yet get speaking slots at those events!
You can show off your work to 200 potential partners in depth, just by doing 1 presentation.
October 31, 2025 at 10:42 AM
Want to engage industry in your research?
Maybe for collaboration or commercialization. Go to industry events, network, talk to people, or better yet get speaking slots at those events!
You can show off your work to 200 potential partners in depth, just by doing 1 presentation.
Maybe for collaboration or commercialization. Go to industry events, network, talk to people, or better yet get speaking slots at those events!
You can show off your work to 200 potential partners in depth, just by doing 1 presentation.
Great thread on reasons ai art is bad.
I'll add that it undermines your credibility (which should be kryptonite to academics).
Audiences don't like you using ai - if you can't be bothered to put effort into a talk, why should they be bothered to listen to you?!
I'll add that it undermines your credibility (which should be kryptonite to academics).
Audiences don't like you using ai - if you can't be bothered to put effort into a talk, why should they be bothered to listen to you?!
The amount of AI generated art in slides at this conference, primarily used by older scientists, is killing me. Scientists please. Don’t use these ai platforms to make your figures or slides. They look bad and I have yet to see them meaningfully improve the message of talks.
October 31, 2025 at 6:41 AM
Great thread on reasons ai art is bad.
I'll add that it undermines your credibility (which should be kryptonite to academics).
Audiences don't like you using ai - if you can't be bothered to put effort into a talk, why should they be bothered to listen to you?!
I'll add that it undermines your credibility (which should be kryptonite to academics).
Audiences don't like you using ai - if you can't be bothered to put effort into a talk, why should they be bothered to listen to you?!
Don't start with 'sorry' - or anything that sounds like one
“Time for the dull bit”
“I won’t go on too long”
"I haven't really prepared anything"
. Instead, try these opening techniques.
1/5
“Time for the dull bit”
“I won’t go on too long”
"I haven't really prepared anything"
. Instead, try these opening techniques.
1/5
October 30, 2025 at 8:40 AM
Don't start with 'sorry' - or anything that sounds like one
“Time for the dull bit”
“I won’t go on too long”
"I haven't really prepared anything"
. Instead, try these opening techniques.
1/5
“Time for the dull bit”
“I won’t go on too long”
"I haven't really prepared anything"
. Instead, try these opening techniques.
1/5
You can use stories in presentations to...
- share lessons
- make people care
- illustrate examples
- hook emotions
But you should always use them for a reason. Don't just bang on about that one time in Amsterdam.
- share lessons
- make people care
- illustrate examples
- hook emotions
But you should always use them for a reason. Don't just bang on about that one time in Amsterdam.
October 29, 2025 at 9:35 AM
You can use stories in presentations to...
- share lessons
- make people care
- illustrate examples
- hook emotions
But you should always use them for a reason. Don't just bang on about that one time in Amsterdam.
- share lessons
- make people care
- illustrate examples
- hook emotions
But you should always use them for a reason. Don't just bang on about that one time in Amsterdam.
An academic career grants A LOT of knowledge about your thing.
Remember most people you talk to won't know the same things you know.
Remember most people you talk to won't know the same things you know.
October 28, 2025 at 7:39 AM
An academic career grants A LOT of knowledge about your thing.
Remember most people you talk to won't know the same things you know.
Remember most people you talk to won't know the same things you know.
3 Reasons your slides are bad...
We see bad slides all the time this is why
- You plan your talk in ppt - so write bullets
- You use slides as handouts -so add text
- You put too many idea on each slide - break it up
- you want to show all the data - so do lots of graphs
We see bad slides all the time this is why
- You plan your talk in ppt - so write bullets
- You use slides as handouts -so add text
- You put too many idea on each slide - break it up
- you want to show all the data - so do lots of graphs
October 27, 2025 at 8:47 AM
3 Reasons your slides are bad...
We see bad slides all the time this is why
- You plan your talk in ppt - so write bullets
- You use slides as handouts -so add text
- You put too many idea on each slide - break it up
- you want to show all the data - so do lots of graphs
We see bad slides all the time this is why
- You plan your talk in ppt - so write bullets
- You use slides as handouts -so add text
- You put too many idea on each slide - break it up
- you want to show all the data - so do lots of graphs
Delivering research impact requires skilled people to do it.
- Hire the right people to your team
- Buy in external expertise
- Train your people in the skills
This is true for Engagement, Commercialisation, Community work, Industry collabs etc
Its about more than just the research.
- Hire the right people to your team
- Buy in external expertise
- Train your people in the skills
This is true for Engagement, Commercialisation, Community work, Industry collabs etc
Its about more than just the research.
October 24, 2025 at 10:59 AM
Delivering research impact requires skilled people to do it.
- Hire the right people to your team
- Buy in external expertise
- Train your people in the skills
This is true for Engagement, Commercialisation, Community work, Industry collabs etc
Its about more than just the research.
- Hire the right people to your team
- Buy in external expertise
- Train your people in the skills
This is true for Engagement, Commercialisation, Community work, Industry collabs etc
Its about more than just the research.
Reposted by Duncan Yellowlees
Science Teachers! If you’re about to start half-term and want an easy read that might enhance your classroom teaching, I’ve got a few Kindle editions of “Why Don’t Things Fall Up?” to give away. Drop me a line and I’ll send you a link.
Why Don’t Things Fall Up?
Why Don’t Things Fall Up? delivers what every adult and schoolchild deserves, but often doesn’t get: an authoritative and accessible account of the key ideas in science. The book is rooted in Alom’…
alomshaha.com
October 24, 2025 at 6:22 AM
Science Teachers! If you’re about to start half-term and want an easy read that might enhance your classroom teaching, I’ve got a few Kindle editions of “Why Don’t Things Fall Up?” to give away. Drop me a line and I’ll send you a link.
Giving a talk?
Don't let the tech take you by surprise.
Figure out beforehand: what kind of mic is it, should I bring my own clicker, can I just plug in my laptop, what is my backup plan? Be prepared - it helps with the nerves and gives you confidence.
#Academia #PHDChat #Research #Presentations
Don't let the tech take you by surprise.
Figure out beforehand: what kind of mic is it, should I bring my own clicker, can I just plug in my laptop, what is my backup plan? Be prepared - it helps with the nerves and gives you confidence.
#Academia #PHDChat #Research #Presentations
October 23, 2025 at 9:09 AM
Giving a talk?
Don't let the tech take you by surprise.
Figure out beforehand: what kind of mic is it, should I bring my own clicker, can I just plug in my laptop, what is my backup plan? Be prepared - it helps with the nerves and gives you confidence.
#Academia #PHDChat #Research #Presentations
Don't let the tech take you by surprise.
Figure out beforehand: what kind of mic is it, should I bring my own clicker, can I just plug in my laptop, what is my backup plan? Be prepared - it helps with the nerves and gives you confidence.
#Academia #PHDChat #Research #Presentations
Generally speaking*, avoid standing behind things.
Desks, computers, lecterns, we want to connect with audiences and having a literal barrier between you and them hampers that connection.
*There are exeptions to every 'rule'
#PHD #Research #Academic #Presenting #PHDChat
Desks, computers, lecterns, we want to connect with audiences and having a literal barrier between you and them hampers that connection.
*There are exeptions to every 'rule'
#PHD #Research #Academic #Presenting #PHDChat
October 22, 2025 at 9:36 AM
Generally speaking*, avoid standing behind things.
Desks, computers, lecterns, we want to connect with audiences and having a literal barrier between you and them hampers that connection.
*There are exeptions to every 'rule'
#PHD #Research #Academic #Presenting #PHDChat
Desks, computers, lecterns, we want to connect with audiences and having a literal barrier between you and them hampers that connection.
*There are exeptions to every 'rule'
#PHD #Research #Academic #Presenting #PHDChat
The biggest things which make academic communication boring are:
1. The curse of knowledge, everyone assumes people know stuff
2. Cognitive overload - too much info, too fast
3. Its soooo bloody dull all the time, show some emotion!
4. All the same. No variety = boredom.
#PHD
1. The curse of knowledge, everyone assumes people know stuff
2. Cognitive overload - too much info, too fast
3. Its soooo bloody dull all the time, show some emotion!
4. All the same. No variety = boredom.
#PHD
October 21, 2025 at 7:38 AM
The biggest things which make academic communication boring are:
1. The curse of knowledge, everyone assumes people know stuff
2. Cognitive overload - too much info, too fast
3. Its soooo bloody dull all the time, show some emotion!
4. All the same. No variety = boredom.
#PHD
1. The curse of knowledge, everyone assumes people know stuff
2. Cognitive overload - too much info, too fast
3. Its soooo bloody dull all the time, show some emotion!
4. All the same. No variety = boredom.
#PHD
In most situations* face your audience when you present.
Not the slides, not computer screen, but the real human people you are talking to.
How else are you supposed to connect with them?
*there are exceptions to every 'rule'
#PHD #Research #Academic #Presenting #PHDChat
Not the slides, not computer screen, but the real human people you are talking to.
How else are you supposed to connect with them?
*there are exceptions to every 'rule'
#PHD #Research #Academic #Presenting #PHDChat
October 20, 2025 at 8:37 AM
In most situations* face your audience when you present.
Not the slides, not computer screen, but the real human people you are talking to.
How else are you supposed to connect with them?
*there are exceptions to every 'rule'
#PHD #Research #Academic #Presenting #PHDChat
Not the slides, not computer screen, but the real human people you are talking to.
How else are you supposed to connect with them?
*there are exceptions to every 'rule'
#PHD #Research #Academic #Presenting #PHDChat
In order to do Research Impact, of any sort, you need 3 things.
At the top is strategy – what is the goal & plan?
You need capacity – what skills do your team need to do the impact you want?
You need resources – software, hardware, pens and paper.
Factor this stuff into your grant writing.
At the top is strategy – what is the goal & plan?
You need capacity – what skills do your team need to do the impact you want?
You need resources – software, hardware, pens and paper.
Factor this stuff into your grant writing.
October 17, 2025 at 10:31 AM
In order to do Research Impact, of any sort, you need 3 things.
At the top is strategy – what is the goal & plan?
You need capacity – what skills do your team need to do the impact you want?
You need resources – software, hardware, pens and paper.
Factor this stuff into your grant writing.
At the top is strategy – what is the goal & plan?
You need capacity – what skills do your team need to do the impact you want?
You need resources – software, hardware, pens and paper.
Factor this stuff into your grant writing.
Quick tip:
As human beings, we focus on contrast, but also the biggest thing in our Eyeline.
If you want people to look at something on PowerPoint, make it nice and big.
If it's less important make it smaller.
If it's not relevant, delete it.
As human beings, we focus on contrast, but also the biggest thing in our Eyeline.
If you want people to look at something on PowerPoint, make it nice and big.
If it's less important make it smaller.
If it's not relevant, delete it.
October 16, 2025 at 8:58 AM
Quick tip:
As human beings, we focus on contrast, but also the biggest thing in our Eyeline.
If you want people to look at something on PowerPoint, make it nice and big.
If it's less important make it smaller.
If it's not relevant, delete it.
As human beings, we focus on contrast, but also the biggest thing in our Eyeline.
If you want people to look at something on PowerPoint, make it nice and big.
If it's less important make it smaller.
If it's not relevant, delete it.
How long does it take you to understand new graph of figure when you read it in a paper?
5 mins?
10?
Need to go away, have a cuppa, and come back to it?
#PHD #Research #Academic #Presenting #PHDChat 🧵
1/3
5 mins?
10?
Need to go away, have a cuppa, and come back to it?
#PHD #Research #Academic #Presenting #PHDChat 🧵
1/3
October 15, 2025 at 9:50 AM
How long does it take you to understand new graph of figure when you read it in a paper?
5 mins?
10?
Need to go away, have a cuppa, and come back to it?
#PHD #Research #Academic #Presenting #PHDChat 🧵
1/3
5 mins?
10?
Need to go away, have a cuppa, and come back to it?
#PHD #Research #Academic #Presenting #PHDChat 🧵
1/3