SC3.6

This may be the first time you are presenting at a big international meeting. Or the 37th. You want to do a good job – to promote your work, to get that postdoc position, to secure an invited talk at the next conference. And the experts in the field will be there, those whose papers you read and whom you admire or want to impress. You do not want to waste their time. But you are nervous – heart pounding, knees shaking, red spots all over your face, hands sweaty and trembling – and to make things even worse, all the other people in your session give splendid talks. It is your turn next, you will have to get up and walk to the podium (will your legs carry you?), you will have to give your talk (will your voice be ok?), and you will have to answer questions (what if you cannot answer, or do not understand them?). Applause. You have no idea what the person just talked about. But considering the applause it must have been great. Your talk will be a mess. The convener is calling your name. Can you do it?
This course deals with what scientists normally do not talk about – giving presentations, often in a foreign language, is scary and stressful. We have all been there. We will share strategies how to deal with it. And we will provide a platform for the questions you did not dare ask your supervisor.