OPA Communication Series: Scientific Storytelling

Mastering communication is not easy, but it is one of the most valuable skills graduate students and postdocs can develop for sharing their research effectively. This Fall, the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs is offering a three-part virtual workshop series led by Danielle Hennis from Make it Memorable, focused on strengthening communication and presentation skills. Sessions will cover advanced PowerPoint techniques, the power of scientific storytelling, and effective data visualization strategies.

Each 1.5-hour workshop is highly practical and filled with tips and exercises that you can immediately apply to your own research presentations. Please note: sessions will be live and not recorded, so be sure to take advantage of them in real time.

As a bonus, a pre-series session - Deconstructing Presentations - is available as a limited-time recording through mid-October, providing a foundation on the psychology of audience memory. Learn more about the series and access the pre-series session at research.unc.edu/postdocs.

Discover how storytelling can elevate your scientific presentations in this engaging workshop. Science and stories both revolve around problem-solving, yet they often seem worlds apart. This session will explore the similarities between the two and demonstrate how storytelling can be used ethically and effectively in technical presentations. You’ll learn about common story structures, how to apply them to your research, and how to ideate and uncover the core message of your presentation. The workshop will also delve into using analogies and metaphors as alternatives to traditional stories, helping you connect with your audience on a deeper level. By the end, you’ll understand the power of storytelling and how to apply these principles to create compelling scientific presentations.

Register