Narrative Techniques for Clear, Memorable Research Presentations
From Planning and Messaging to Structure and Slides
This workshop helps doctoral and PhD candidates design research presentations that are clear, engaging, and easy to follow. Instead of focusing on delivery techniques, the course builds strong foundations: defining a clear message, structuring content, and creating slides that support understanding.
Participants will learn practical storytelling and narrative tools, and apply them step by step to their own research. By the end of the day, each participant will have developed a structured draft presentation and received focused, constructive feedback from peers and the facilitator.
The emphasis is on building strong foundations. Without a clear message and structure, even confident delivery cannot make a presentation effective. Participants will learn a practical, repeatable process for developing presentations that work for different audiences, including peers, funders, policymakers, and the public.
What this workshop will cover
- Preparation: What to consider before creating a presentation
- Understanding your audience: Designing presentations that are audience-centred and relevant
- Defining a clear focal point: Crafting a strong core message and reinforcing it throughout
- Storytelling and narrative techniques: Simple tools to make research more accessible and engaging
- The SimpleStructure framework: A practical method for planning and testing presentation flow before creating slides
- From structure to slides: Developing slides that support and strengthen the message
- Presenting and refining a draft: Sharing work in progress and receiving structured, constructive feedback
Applying the skills
Participants will work step by step on their own research presentation throughout the day. They will apply each concept directly and take part in guided peer feedback using a clear and practical feedback method.
Outcomes
By the end of the workshop, each participant will have developed a structured draft presentation and gained insight into how their message is understood by others. After the workshop, participants will receive course materials, templates, and supporting resources.
Trainer
This course will be delivered by Suzanne Whitby, a communication specialist, science communicator, and researcher. She is the founder of SciComm Success, a Europe-based training and coaching company that has been supporting scientists and researchers in communicating clearly and confidently since 2011.
Dates
Date | Mon 19.10.2026: 9 – 16:30 h
Venue | Karl-Schweighofer-Gasse 3,1070 Vienna, room DG18 (meeting room)
Preparation and registration
Before the session, participants will be invited to complete a short questionnaire to help tailor the training to their needs. They will also be asked to bring a research topic or idea to work on during the day.
You can register to the workshop, if you are enrolled in a doctoral or PhD program and a regular student at the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna or University of Art and Design Linz.
Please register until the latest 6 October 2026 via doktoratszentrum@akbild.ac.at with the subject "Workshop October 2026" and a current Record of Studies (Studienblatt).
The workshop is limited to a maximum of 15 persons (first come, first served).
Language
The workshop will be held in English.