Upcoming Communication Workshops!
OPD helps students and postdocs improve their writing and presenting skills through a variety of programs offered throughout the year.
Crafting Titles to Get Your Work Noticed
Monday, May 6th - 11:15am-12:00pm (online)
Titles are often an afterthought, but they can make or break a project: your title is the most visible part of your research, appearing on CVs and in electronic databases. This workshop will share 4 concrete strategies for writing clear and impactful titles for seminar papers, conference presentations and posters, dissertations, and many other pieces of writing.
Spring Shut Up & Write Tuesday
Tuesday, May 7th - 9:00am-12:00pm (209 Bartlett)
Writing alongside others is a best practice for academic writing! This weekly drop-in provides time and space to write while caffeinated - come late or leave early. We'll make the coffee; you do the writing.
Shut Up and Write Tuesday: Special Extended Hours Finals Edition
Tuesday, May 14th - 9:00am-3:00pm (209 Bartlett)
Writing alongside others is a best practice for academic writing! This drop-in event provides time and space to write while caffeinated - come late or leave early. We'll make the coffee; you do the writing.
The 5 Things You Need to Do to Prep Your Writing for Summer Break
Tuesday, May 21st - 12:30-1:00pm (online)
We all know that breaks are important for our well-being and long-term productivity, but how do we take time off without losing momentum on our projects? The key to both a restorative break and a productive return is to take small steps to prepare your writing—and yourself!—in advance. Join us to learn the five things you need to do before you take vacation so that you’re able to come back to your writing refreshed, renewed, and ready to pick up where you left off.
Communicating Your Research Quickly
Thursday, May 30th - 12:00-1:00pm (online)
Communicating your research effectively can be tough, and it can be even tougher when your audience doesn’t share your expertise. Success hinges on your ability to articulate what you are doing and why it is worth doing, whether your goal is to communicate the relevance of your work, recruit a potential collaborator, impress a prospective employer, or finally have your family understand what you do. In this session, participants will draft a short explanation of their work that avoids jargon and engages audiences.
Creating Effective Figures
Tuesday, June 4th - 3:00-4:30pm (online)
Creating the right figure takes time and effort, but there are some tricks to get you there faster. Are you using the right format? Are you considering the audience? What tools are available and best suited for your data? Come take this opportunity to discuss the answers to these questions and work with your data to produce amazing figures for your presentations and publications.
Public Speaking—for the Anxious and the Not-So-Anxious
Wednesday, June 12th - 3:00-4:00pm (online)
“There are only two types of speakers in the world: the nervous and the liars.”–Mark Twain. Speaking to an audience is important for your professional life, but that doesn’t mean we get a lot of training in it. Come learn the tips and tricks that will make you a more confident public speaker, convince your audience of your brilliance, and leave a lasting impression.
Crafting Slides for Engaging Presentations
Tuesday, June 18th - 3:00-4:00pm (online)
Do you ever envy a presenter’s slick presentation? Do you wish you could convey your data simply and tell a great story that engages your audience? Join us to learn how to design slides that capture attention and convey your meaning!
Using Simple Words for Big Ideas
Thursday, June 27th - 10:00-11:00am (online)
Communicating your research effectively can be tough, and it can be even tougher when your audience doesn’t share your expertise. Success hinges on your ability to articulate what you are doing and why it is worth doing, whether your goal is to communicate the relevance of your work, recruit a potential collaborator, impress a prospective employer, or finally have your family understand what you do. In this session, participants will draft a short explanation of their work that avoids jargon and engages audiences.
Communicating Your Research Quickly
Tuesday, July 9th - 10:00-11:00am (online)
Communicating your research effectively can be tough, and it can be even tougher when your audience doesn’t share your expertise. Success hinges on your ability to articulate what you are doing and why it is worth doing, whether your goal is to communicate the relevance of your work, recruit a potential collaborator, impress a prospective employer, or finally have your family understand what you do. In this session, participants will draft a short explanation of their work that avoids jargon and engages audiences.
Public Speaking—for the Anxious and the Not-So-Anxious
Wednesday, July 24th - 12:00-1:00pm (online)
“There are only two types of speakers in the world: the nervous and the liars.”–Mark Twain. Speaking to an audience is important for your professional life, but that doesn’t mean we get a lot of training in it. Come learn the tips and tricks that will make you a more confident public speaker, convince your audience of your brilliance, and leave a lasting impression.