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Twenty of our senior scientific staff have attended a special workshop aimed at helping them to elevate their presentation skills and communicate more effectively.
Does the thought of presenting to a large audience leave you feeling slightly ill? Public speaking is often at the top of the list of things most of us try to avoid.
So, when a group of our scientific staff attended a workshop aimed at helping them improve their presentation skills, the last thing they expected was being asked to become a human dinosaur. Or wander around the room playing the part of a knife or fork.
These are just some of the left-of-field exercises our staff (12 Clinical Scientist Trainees, 5 from our Forensic and Analytical Science Service and 2 from our mass spectrometry service) were asked to participate in at NIDA, the National Institute of Dramatic Art.
NIDA designed the Presenting with Impact course specifically for some of our senior scientific leaders to elevate their presentation skills, inspire confidence, communicate effectively, execute their conversations and articulate ideas in the workplace and at conferences.
Participants delivered work-related presentations on camera and received feedback on their presentation styles.
They were taught practical techniques to enhance their vocal and physical presence focusing on alignment, energy and confidence. They were then guided on how to build an authentic presentation and engage their audience effectively, followed by individual coaching from the tutor.
“It was an amazing day, and I gained an experience that I very much appreciated,” said Abigail Elias, Senior Scientist at Liverpool Haematology.
“We used professional acting techniques and exercises from professional acting training to create an experience that allowed me to discover my inner performer and deliver presentations and speeches confidently.”
Trainee Clinical Scientist, Hila Kakar described the day as a great learning opportunity.
“It was a fun-filled day with lots of interactive sessions, designed to enhance good presentation skills,” she said. “As a trainee clinical scientist and 4th year RCPA Faculty of Science Immunopathology Fellowship trainee, I deliver talks to other RCPA trainees, and I participate and present data and research projects at various forums.
“The NIDA Presenting with Impact workshop was a great opportunity to enhance and utilise these skills moving forward.”