Course detail

Welcome to The art and science of scientific communication and presentation design

Program: General Course

Description:

In today’s research landscape, the ability to communicate science effectively is as critical as the research itself. This course places a strong emphasis on the design and delivery of scientific presentations, recognizing that traditional, text-heavy slides are no longer sufficient for engaging audiences or conveying complex ideas clearly.

Participants will first explore the principles of effective presentation design, including visual storytelling, simplicity, and audience engagement. Through hands-on workshops, they will learn to transform their own presentation materials using modern design tools and techniques.

Building on this foundation, the course expands into broader science communication skills. The goal is to empower PhD students to communicate their work with clarity and confidence, whether in academic or public settings.

Topics include:

• Visual design principles for scientific presentations

• Structuring your research question and hypothesis

• Communicating data clearly through speech, text, and visuals

• Workshop: redesigning and delivering your own scientific presentation

• Using figures, tables, and videos effectively

By the end of the course, students will have developed a polished scientific presentation and gained practical tools to enhance their communication in meetings, conferences, and publications.

Literature/Requirements:

Relevant papers and book chapters will be provided prior to the course.

Participants must bring a laptop with PowerPoint or equivalent software.

Prerequisites:

Participants should have some presentation experience and have been enrolled for at least 6 months in their PhD program. Good English skills are an advantage.

Evaluation:

Final evaluation will be based on a presentation delivered during a mini symposium on the last day of the course. Students must demonstrate their ability to structure a scientific narrative and apply design principles. Completion of workshop exercises is also required.

Organizer: Associate Professor Mathias Vedsø Kristiansen

Lecturers: Associate Professor Mathias Vedsø Kristiansen

ECTS: 1,5

Date: 6, 26 March 2026

Place: TBA

City: Gistrup

Number of seats: 25

Deadline: 13 February 2026

Important information concerning PhD courses:

There is a no-show fee of DKK 3,000 for each course where the student does not show up. Cancellations are accepted no later than 2 weeks before the start of the course. Registered illness is of course an acceptable reason for not showing up on those days. Furthermore, all courses open for registration approximately four months before start of the course.

We cannot ensure any seats before the deadline for enrolment, all participants will be informed after the deadline, approximately 3 weeks before the start of the course.

To attend courses at the Doctoral School in Medicine, Biomedical Science and Technology you must be enrolled as a PhD student.

For inquiries regarding registration, cancellation or waiting list, please contact the PhD administration at phdcourses@adm.aau.dk When contacting us please state the course title and course period. Thank you.