Manage your public speaking stress
Cluster
Communication skills
Target audience
PhD candidates
Teacher
Edward De Vooght (De Redenaar)
Dietmar Hertsen (De Redenaar)
Abstract
One of the most important transferable skills you will learn during your PhD is presenting ideas, whether this is during a presentation, talk, meeting or conversation. Public speaking skills are therefore crucial not only during but even more so after a PhD. However, many of us struggle with nerves, stress and sometimes even anxiety when having to present or speak in public. This might lead to low self-esteem, avoiding giving presentations and even complete black-outs. In this course, we will coach you specifically on how to cope with public speaking stress while delivering great presentations.
Objectives
You will learn to:
- prioritize presentation goals
- counter false assumptions about presentation quality
- adopt a more content-focused presentation strategy
- optimize presentation preparations
- find rest and focus during presentations
- present well with stress instead of fighting it
Dates and venue
10, 17 and 24 October 2024 (from 9:00 until 12:00)
Leslokaal 0.1 (Campus Ledeganck)
Programme
In three sessions of three hours each, you will gradually gain insights in your own behaviour and thoughts that underpin your stress and learn new techniques to cope with the stress before and during presentations. In each session you will have ample opportunity to speak in front of an audience voluntarily (at least 8 times per session), but you will never be put on the spot by us. We will help you set and reach your personal goals each session.
Session 1 - Perspectives
In this session we will tackle the assumptions and emotions that underpin the speaking anxiety of participants. We revise the criteria that determine the quality of a presentation and reorient our thoughts on presenting as a whole. During various speaking excercises, participants learn that stress is common but also not an omen of bad presentations.
Session 2 - Preparation
In this session we build on the participants' regained trust in themselves and revisit what it actually means to give a presentation. Participants are shown a content-focused and straightforward manner to structure their presentations. This presentation technique is not only a clear communication strategy but also black-out-proof, making presentation easier and more comfortable. In this session, participants are coached in building a presentation from idea to a finalized presentation of 5 minutes.
Session 3 - Rest
As good as your preparation is, stress is not always to be avoided. During this session we consolidate the technique learned in session 2 and show various techniques to cope with anxiety and stress during presentations. By means of different smaller exercises, participants learn to focus and handle those annoying surges of speaking anxiety when on stage. In the end, participants will realize how these techniques help them in giving complex academic presentations easily and with a certain comfort.
Registration
- Register here. We check if you are eligible to participate. Due to limited places, we give priority to PhD students. Your registration will be confirmed by separate e-mail (outlook invite).
- Cancellation of your registration can only be performed by sending an email to doctoralschools@ugent.be.
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The no show policy applies.
Registration fee
Free of charge for Doctoral School members.
Number of participants
Maximum 20
Language
English
Evaluation method
100% attendance and active participation.
After successful participation, the Doctoral School Office will add this course to your curriculum of the Doctoral Training Programme in Oasis. Please note that this can take up to one to two months after completion of the course.