Activities and resources from the Centre for Doctoral Studies to help you communicate your research confidently to different audiences.

Speaking and Presenting is one of our eight key doctoral development themes, designed to help postgraduate research students across King’s navigate the support on offer.

For guidance on booking live workshops and registering for on-demand services, see How to Access our Courses.

Please note, to access SkillsForge you will require King's log in credentials. 

Three Minute Thesis Competition (Access through SkillsForge PGR600)

This competition is open to any King’s student studying for a PhD or other doctorate. The rules are simple: explain your research to a non-specialist audience in three minutes. The winners will be decided by a panel of judges. A series of heats will be held in Spring, with winning contestants from each heat going forward to the King’s Three Minute Thesis Grand Final, and the winner invited to represent King’s at the National Semi-Finals.

Creative Science Storytelling (Access through SkillsForge CRSD71)

This session will equip participants with the skills they need to use creative storytelling skills to communicate with a range of audiences in the professional setting. These are simple techniques borrowed from the world of storytelling that can bring to life even the most technical scientific and engineering content, making it memorable, understandable and engaging.

Fundamentals of Designing a Poster Presentation (Access through SkillsForge PGR113)

Preparing and giving poster presentations at conferences and other academic meetings is a common task for doctoral researchers to undertake. In this workshop you will learn about what makes an engaging and effective research poster. There will be a focus on how you can make your poster visually appealing whilst still effectively communicating your research through the use of text and graphics.

Masterclass in Compelling Communications (Access through SkillsForge PGR198)

Are you looking to learn how to tell a story through your research? Join the Entrepreneurship Institute for a masterclass in compelling communication. Regardless of discipline, by honing your compelling communication skills, you will be able to convey your research effectively to any audience. This masterclass will provide you with the essential tools needed to differentiate yourself among fellowship funding applications and panel interviews, both in academia and outside of academia.

Presenting with Confidence (Access through SkillsForge PGR229)

Presenters need to know how to capture and hold the attention of their audience who expect a shorter, but more dynamic presentation style. This session will build on your existing skills to help you present with greater authority and leave a lasting positive impact when presenting. This programme is primarily designed for those who have some experience of presenting but want to move their skills to the next level. This course will provide a complete and practical guide to every aspect of designing and delivering a high impact presentation.

Public Speaking for Research Students & Staff (Access through SkillsForge PGR185)

Researchers can make as much of an impact from what they say as they can from what they write, whether it be through teaching, conferences or job presentations. This workshop takes participants through how to structure a speech, the use of appropriate language and imagery, audio-visual aids and how to master the Q & A. It draws upon acting techniques such as how to improve diction, resonance and stage presence as well as relaxation and breathing techniques to calm nerves

Writing and Giving Conference Papers for Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences (Access through SkillsForge PGR159)

Do you want guidance on giving conference papers? This course will cover all stages of conference presentations: identifying an area of research suitable for a paper, choosing which conference(s) to attend, writing an abstract, preparing and presenting a talk, and handling questions. Advice will be offered on timing, dealing with nerves, and different ways of delivering papers. Advice will also be offered on chairing panels, organising your own panels, panel diversity, and developing your own conference networks. We will cover common concerns, and the session will be full of practical advice and examples of what (not) to do.

To find out more about different on-demand platforms and how to access them, see how to access our courses.

PGR Core Library

• The Good Presentation Video (KEATS - King's log in credentials required)

This half-hour video has been developed with an experienced voice and presentation coach to help postgraduate researchers improve their presentation skills. It will build students' confidence as well as their skills in a task which many find daunting.

Nature Masterclasses

• Advancing Your Scientific Presentations (External website)

This 10-hour certified course teaches you how to build compelling research stories – the foundation for your presentations - using narrative tools. The course also teaches you how to create professional slide decks and techniques that help you deliver your presentation effectively, both in virtual and face-to-face environments.

SAGE Campus

• Present Your Research (External website)

Develop the confidence, skills and communication strategies to present your research in an impactful and meaningful way. The course focuses on achieving impact when you present to different audiences, and it draws on various examples from TED Talks to illustrate presentation strategies.

Elsevier Researcher Academy

• Conference Skills for Researchers (External website)

This video presentation helps you explore the importance of conferences, gain insight into how to get your abstract accepted and get advice on presenting effectively, maximising your time at a conference, and interacting with other conference attendees.

LinkedIn Learning

• Master Confident Presentations (External website)

Whilst not specific to research and academia, this training course contains a series of useful tips and tricks about effective presentation. Learn how to calm your pre-talk nerves, practice proper body language, write effective openers, manage the time you're allotted, and close strong.

Could you explain your doctoral research to a lay audience in just three minutes?

Our Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition challenges doctoral candidates to present the complexities of their research in a clear, concise and accessible way to a non-specialist audience in just three minutes. It celebrates the exciting research conducted by doctoral candidates across King's College London and gives them the opportunity to develop their academic, presentation, and research communication skills.

Interested in taking part this year? Join us at our King's 3MT Information Webinar on Thursday 25th January to find out more. Sign up via SkillsForge (PGR601).