Preparing for Scientific Conferences

Your research is only as good as your ability to get people to listen to it.  Here's 7 tips for making sure your insights actually land. 📂 Start with conclusions, not methodology Think of your debrief as a landing page–you need to hook people immediately. Put your key takeaways front and center. No one has time to wade through your research methods before getting to the good stuff. Everyone is busy with their jobs already. 📂 One finding per slide Don't overwhelm your audience with multiple insights at once. Share one finding per slide, support it with data (mix qualitative and quantitative), and include a clear recommendation. Yes, recommendations! Don't just drop insights and run. Your job isn't done until you've suggested what to do next. 📂 Connect to business goals Your organization cares about metrics and outcomes, not research for its own sake. Frame your insights in terms of business impact. For example, this finding will help us reduce the 30% churn we're seeing in week 1. 📂 Use real user voices Nothing makes research stick like hearing it directly from users. Include direct quotes and, if possible, short video clips. The more human connection you create between stakeholders and users, the more memorable your insights become. 📂 Ditch the UX jargon Simplify everything and speak in terms business stakeholders understand. 📂 Address stakeholder fears When executives push back, it's usually fear-driven. Find out what they're afraid of missing, losing, or failing at—then frame your insights as solutions to those fears. 📂 Save methodology for last Your professional expertise should be trusted. Keep the "how we made the sausage" details for the end. What's your best tip for making research insights stick?

On delivering a great conference presentation. Conference presentations are tricky. Whether your content is good or not, may or may not matter. However. Where it is a good presentation or not will open and close doors on your career. And. A bad one, esp. as a senior PhD student, can close minds and doors on the ejob market. So five quick points to consider as you plan your talk. 1. Structure your talk like a SHORT story You have just 15 to 20 minutes. So use a simple structure to describe your research, like this: Hook – A question, puzzle, or surprising insight Background – What we know, what we don’t Research question – The gap you address Method – How you explored it Key findings – What you discovered Implications – Why it matters for research or practice Example: “We wanted to know why remote teams struggle with onboarding. So we interviewed 22 tech firms. What we found challenges how we think about informal mentorship.” 2. Design slides that focus attention on you. One idea per slide. Keep it visual. Define key terms and highlight relevance. Let your voice do the explaining. Example: Instead of pasting your abstract on a slide, show a graph, a quote, or a concept map. 3. Practice, practice, practice Rehearse with time limits. Ask peers to simulate Q&A. Emulate having people come in and out of the room. Example: If your session is 15 minutes, aim to finish in 12. Have a friend play the "skeptical reviewer" in practice and push back on your logic. 4. Deliver with intention Speak slowly and clearly. Make eye contact. Pause for breath. Think before answering questions. Example: Nervous speakers rush. A short pause after your main point helps your audience absorb it—and makes you sound more confident. 5. Respect the room Visit the room before the talk. Know the room layout. Hook up your computer to present. Bring your slides on a USB stick. Finish 1–2 minutes early. Example: If you’re speaking in a hybrid session, arrive early to check audio levels and screen sharing. Even if you are a great speaker, things go wrong. The more prepared you are, the less you will be put off by things going wrong. So. Practice. Build your confidence. Visualize greatness! Then execute. Best of luck! #conference #academicjourney

If your LinkedIn and Instagram feeds are being flooded 🌊 by Think Tank posts and wondering how BIG this event was, it was only 50 people. Pound for pound, the sheer volume of LOVE and enthusiasm for what happened at this event is sure to translate to massive marketing VALUE that is disproportionately greater than traditional conferences. And here’s the thing… Not only is everyone cool with it, they’re IN on it! 🤩 How do you create an event like this that people love so much that we spend $0 in marketing every year and yet keep growing? Rule # 1 - Foster BELONGING ✅ be clear about who it’s for (Head + Heart leaders who are dissatisfied with the status quo) and who it’s not for (people pushing for sales) ✅ we do prework, group work, and virtual meet ups BEFORE the event ✅ find like-hearted people with shared or complimentary motivations (their WHY) ✅ mix up seating, create small group exercises and discussions, and give enough reasons for people to talk together about things that matter. Don’t leave it to “networking” (most people hate it). Give them real things to discuss. People bond over IDEAS not bios. Rule # 2 - Be Transparent ✅ Let them know the cost upfront, the agenda, the role of sponsors, the way you’ll create content, what parts are experiments and everything else about your goals of the business. Rule # 3 - Deliver the Goods! ✅ Surprise and delight your audience that begins with EMOTIONS and ties together practical solutions to help them achieve success ✅ Work with your facilitators ahead of time. Rehearse. Practice. Improve. MOST conferences allow speakers to basically wing it up there. 😳 We didn’t. Rule # 4 - Make the small details count ✅ Venue, food selection, music, workbooks, swag bags, soft t-shirts, name tents and every other little detail should let them know one thing very clearly —> you value their time and appreciate them. ✅ We didn’t wear our shirts or do group photos until the last day when we’re at PEAK trust and rapport. When people seek out your branding so they can take photos with it, you’ve captured their hearts. Rule # 5 - Be Human ✅ Show your fun side, your vulnerable side; your professionalism; the REAL you. People care about the people behind the brands. Our group members are sharing long form posts, multiple posts, videos, photos and more. They’re sharing what they learned and more importantly how they FELT. They’re commenting on and sharing each others’ posts and supporting each other. THEY are generating a huge deal of curiosity and interest by people for next year’s event(s)! Here’s the not-so-secret SECRET: Give them your full preparation. Your full heart. Your full measure. Not only will they reward you with their appreciation, they’ll share it with anyone who will listen. 💜 #thinktank2024 #headandheart #lighttheway Think Tank 2024 Sponsors 🫶: Markentum Angie Gray Viking Pure Solutions Dash Media KARE Bella Groves Dual Path Connected Solutions

Conference fatigue is real! Attending conferences can be rewarding and energizing, but the packed schedules, travel, information overload, and constant networking can quickly lead to fatigue or even burnout. Here’s a few ways to stay refreshed, focused, and make the most of your conference experience: ➡️ PLAN AND PRIORITIZE YOUR SCHEDULE: -- Review the agenda in advance. Highlight the sessions, speakers, and events that align with your goals. Focus on quality over quantity and don’t feel pressured to attend everything. -- If you’re traveling across time zones, use jet lag apps like Timeshifter or StopJetLag to help your body adjust. These apps provide personalized plans to optimize sleep, light exposure, and meals, which can significantly reduce. -- Schedule intentional downtime. Block out periods for solo walks, quiet meals, or short breaks in your room to recharge. Over-scheduling is a major contributor to event fatigue. -- Build in transition time between sessions. Even five to ten minutes can help you reset and prepare for the next event. ➡️ PREPARE FOR NETWORKING AND MEETINGS: -- Carry old-school business cards and a pen. -- Have your LinkedIn QR code or a digital business card ready for quick sharing. Digital cards (using apps like HiHello, Inc. or Popl) are increasingly popular. -- Download the conference app if one is available. They often include networking features, schedules, and ways to connect with other attendees efficiently. ➡️ DURING THE CONFERENCE: -- Limit distractions and avoid multitasking during sessions, meetings, or conversations. -- Be intentional and selective with your #networking: Focus on meaningful connections rather than collecting as many business cards as possible. -- Take notes during or immediately after key conversations and sessions. This helps you remember details and makes follow-up easier. -- Listen actively and ask thoughtful questions-engaged participation is more valuable than passive attendance. -- Designate some “no-conference” time: Block out periods where you don’t attend any sessions or meetings to decompress. -- Skip non-essential social events (like early breakfasts or late-night mixers) if you need rest. Prioritize your well-being over FOMO. -- Pay attention to your body and mind. If you feel overwhelmed or exhausted, take a break, even a short one can help you reset. ➡️ SCHEDULE TIME FOR FOLLOW-UP: -- Review your notes and contacts as soon as possible after the event to combat the “forgetting curve”. -- Set calendar reminders to follow up with new connections-ideally within a month, and then periodically (such as quarterly) to maintain relationships. -- Send personalized LinkedIn connection requests to everyone you met, referencing your conversation to reinforce the connection. -- Use #technology to your advantage: AI-powered apps can help summarize sessions, organize notes, and remind you of action items. What’s your best tip to avoid conference fatigue❓

The most compelling research presentation I gave broke every academic convention. Most research talks follow a tired script: Intro → Methods → Results → Conclusion. But that order buries your message. After giving hundreds of talks, I’ve found that the best ones flip the script—and put the audience first. Here are 3 changes I made that had the room buzzing: 1️⃣ Start with your conclusion. Open with your core message. Now, instead of wondering WHAT you found, your audience tracks HOW you got there. This shift keeps them engaged—and mirrors how we read papers. 2️⃣ Use figures > tables. Tables are fine in manuscripts. But in presentations, they overwhelm. A clean figure tells the story faster—and sticks longer. 3️⃣ Own the room. Don’t pace it. Pick three people—left, center, right. Speak to them in turn. Stay planted. Let your ideas move, not your feet. And just as important—3 things to avoid: 1️⃣ Don’t read your slides. You’re there to connect, not recite. Use keywords, not scripts. Practice until you can speak naturally—even without presenter notes. 2️⃣ Don’t overload with text. Your slide is not a manuscript. Stick to 5–6 short phrases max. Skip the periods to avoid the urge for full sentences. 3️⃣ Don’t show giant tables or figures If you have to say “I know you can’t read this,” cut it. Trim big tables/figures or split them into 2–3 slides. You don’t need flashy animations or fancy tools. Just clarity, structure, and presence. What’s one small change you’ll make in your next research talk to better serve your audience? ----- P.S. Join the Research Boost waitlist for early access to the tool—and behind-the-scenes lessons HERE: https://researchboost.com/ BONUS: When you subscribe, you instantly unlock my Manuscript Outline Blueprint. Please reshare 🔄 if you think this will be helpful to others…

Everyone loves a good story. You should be using your data to tell one every chance you get. The importance of narrative in scientific communication cannot be understated. And that includes communication in traditionally technical environments! One thing that gets beaten into you in graduate school is that a scientific presentation is a technical affair. Communicating science is fact based, it's black and white, here's the data, this is the conclusion, do you have any questions? Actually, I do. Did you think about what story your data could tell before you put your slides together? I know this is a somewhat provocative question because a lot of scientists overlook the importance of telling a story when they present results. But if you want to keep your audience engaged and interested in what you have to say, you should think about your narrative! This is true for a presentation at 'The Mountain Lake Lodge Meeting on Post-Initiation Activities of RNA Polymerases,' the 'ACMG Annual Clinical Genetics Meeting,' or to a class of 16 year old AP Biology Students. The narrative doesn't need to be the same for all of those audiences, BUT IT SHOULD EXIST! There is nothing more frustrating to me than seeing someone give a presentation filled with killer data only to watch them blow it by putting the entire audience to sleep with an arcane technical overview of the scientific method. Please. Tell. A. Story. With. Your. Data. Here's how: 1. Plot - the series of events that drive the story forward to its resolution. What sets the scene, the hypothesis or initial observation? How can the data be arranged to create a beginning, middle, and end? 2. Theme - Good vs Evil, Human vs Virus, Day in the life of a microbe? Have fun with this (even just as a thought experiment) because it makes a big difference. 3. Character development - the team, the protein, gene, or model system 4. Conflict - What were the blockers and obstacles? Needed a new technique? Refuting a previous finding? 5. Climax - the height of the struggle. Use your data to build to a climax. How did one question lead to another and how were any problems overcome? 6. Resolution - What's the final overall conclusion and how was the conflict that was setup in the beginning resolved by what you found? By taking the time to work through what story you can tell, you can engage your entire audience and they'll actually remember what you had to say!

The Hardest Lesson I Learned About Conferences: Taking a Damn Break When I first started attending conferences, I had one speed: GO. From sunrise to the after party, I was in full hustle mode. I had goals, I had a schedule, and I was determined to squeeze every drop of value out of each event. What I didn’t have? Balance. I refused to take breaks, skipped meals, and convinced myself that exhaustion was just part of the game. It’s not. If you don’t stop and smell the roses, you’re going to burn yourself out. And trust me, burnt-out you isn’t impressing anyone. Now, as I lead my team, I’m making sure they don’t fall into the same trap. Here are the lessons I’m instilling in them: ✅ The standard is the standard. Show up like everyone is your client. Wear clothes that make you feel good, won’t leave you sweating like you ran a marathon, and won’t wrinkle before your first meeting. ✅ Miscommunication will happen. Handle it with poise and grace. The difference between a disaster and a minor hiccup is how you react to it. ✅ Plan your day and expect it to go to sh*t. Be flexible enough to pivot when things inevitably don’t go as planned. ✅ Schedule breaks and don’t waiver. Most conference days are 12 to 14 hours. If you go hard every second, you won’t last. Take intentional pauses. You are human, not a machine. ✅ Go above and beyond, but remember people are people. If you understand people, you understand business. Period. ✅ Friendships and kindness are key, but you don’t have to be friends with everyone. And that’s okay. Protect your energy. Conferences are marathons, not sprints. The real ROI comes from showing up as your best and focussed self, not your most exhausted self. Let’s swap war stories. 🤣

Perhaps, a controversial piece of advice: Never ever start announcing your paper with where it was accepted (a "new paper alert" is even worse). Start by a concise description of why it's important, what the interesting findings are, and how much progress it makes. Make sure you link the preprint and, possibly, a blog post (or have a twitter thread). Besides potentially boosting engagement (citations etc) it also shows you care more about the science/results rather than paper acceptance. Adding a mention of the acceptance venue can boost engagement too, but I would argue it's a secondary to your topic/results.

I used to run myself ragged at conferences. I’d be up and at breakfast meetings by 7 or 8, full day of sessions/meetings, and multiple receptions with plenty of free alcohol available late into the night. Considering there were years when I attended two dozen events a year, that was a lot. Not any more. I’m still at events (closer to a dozen a year), but I’m prioritizing sleep and how I spend my time, and I’m consistently more productive. In the last 6 weeks I attended what I view as two of my most grueling events: SXSW EDU and ASU+GSV (AMA Higher Ed in November rounds out that list). Here are the boundaries I put in place to balance rest and productivity. 1️⃣ No meetings before 9am. This is unique to me, as someone who prefers evenings to mornings. 2️⃣Book meetings in advance whenever possible. This ensures I’m spending my time like I intended. It can be done effectively without an advance list for sponsors because most events now list attendees in apps. Is this a time commitment? Yes. (More on that in another post.) 3️⃣ Grant myself permission to skip some receptions or dinners. Not all of them—but #2 ensures I’m not relying on receptions to find most people. The majority of nights, I’ll be back in my room by 7 or 8pm. 4️⃣ Limit alcohol. Not only does it decrease networking effectiveness after 1 or 2, but it impairs my much needed sleep that evening. Prioritize water. 5️⃣ Consciously block time for 8 hours of sleep. This may mean being aware of your own bedtime, or literally blocking time on the calendar (which I’ve done at events when I know I’ll be at an event later in the evening). While chatting with others (especially fellow attendees age 40+), I learned I’m not alone in my prioritization of rest. I wish I’d known this in my 30s, which is why I’m sharing it here. Normalize that “the grind” doesn’t need to grind you down. Still, this morning I woke up from a much needed extra long sleep. Travel takes a toll on our bodies (my resting heart rate is higher when I travel), and too often, the work doesn’t stop so we’re diving back into long days when we return. It’s ok to listen to your body, rather than hustle culture, and rest.