How do I explain it to a non-specialist?

That was the focus of Wednesday’s workshop, “Presenting Research in an Engaging and Confident Manner to a Non-Specialist Audience.”

While presentations at academic conferences are primarily about content, content, and more content, the situation is quite different when addressing a non-specialist audience. As a researcher, I cannot assume that politicians or business representatives understand basic technical terms such as “audit” or “sector coupling.” Even less so can I assume they are interested in derivations, calculations, or diagrams. And yet, with this particular audience, the goal is often to secure funding, spark interest in one’s own research topics, and provide information about their importance. This is where we aim to step in with Saxony⁵ as a knowledge-transfer project to support researchers.

Last Wednesday, participants learned how to keep their audience from drifting off after the third sentence or turning their attention to their smartphones.

Over the course of six hours, trainer Anna Strittmatter shared tips—both big and small—on how to make a presentation stand out and leave a lasting impression. In two rounds, all participants were filmed and their presentations analyzed afterward. It’s not exactly easy to watch yourself give a presentation. But it’s incredibly helpful.

Ms. Strittmatter, by the way, is a living example of how to present well in a good way. She makes it look effortless and captivates her audience. It’s no coincidence that she’s a long-time lecturer and visiting professor of voice training at the Ernst Busch University of Dramatic Arts in Berlin , a freelance media trainer for the Evangelical Media Academy, and an adjunct professor of voice training at the Film University Babelsberg.

We felt that both the inexperienced presentation novice and the seasoned speaker received personalized and helpful tips from her and were able to improve quickly.

Since the feedback from participants was consistently positive, the Saxony⁵ project team plans to offer this event again—ideally as early as this year—for interested early-career researchers, curious presentation pros, and complete beginners. Everyone is warmly welcome.

Text: Martin Kunack