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Duncan Yellowlees

@dyellowlees.bsky.social

790 followers 560 following 1.4K posts

Academic Research talks don't have to be shit! ✨ Researcher trainer ✨ Opinions about research culture ✨ Maker and fan of anything with dragons Supporting phd's/ecrs/academics to do better more engaged and effective presentations | He/Him

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Duncan Yellowlees @dyellowlees.bsky.social · Nov 13

Hello to my new followers!

I'll do a little intro

• I teach researchers how to present their work effectively

• Storytelling, slides, preparation, I got you!

• Opinionated about research culture

• Background in sci comm & museums

• I also make stuff, pics below!

A dark brown leather hold all, sitting in the sun

A pair of watches on dark great background. One has a black leather strap the other brown. It's the straps I made... Not the watches

A pair of kitchen knives on a grey slate. A big one and small one. Both handled in pale wood with swirls and patterns

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Duncan Yellowlees @dyellowlees.bsky.social · 7h

When communicating research you are constantly balancing complexity, clarity and speed.

You can usually have 2/3 but not all.

The most important is clarity.

Duncan Yellowlees @dyellowlees.bsky.social · 1d

Research Impact means different things to different people, but if what you are trying to do is influence the world outside of academia, then you and your teams are going to need to be able to talk to people.

Invest in those skills.

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Duncan Yellowlees @dyellowlees.bsky.social · 1d

A strong ending is key.

Remind us of the problem, give us a call to action, and make it crystal clear you're done.

Let's leave our audience enlightened, not wondering if there's more.

The easiest way to ensure no awkward silence.. say "thank you very much"

Duncan Yellowlees @dyellowlees.bsky.social · 2d

Ways to build trust throughout a presentation

- Subtle 'authority drops'
- Thank interaction honestly
- Use data to back up you points
- Stay calm and in control if anything goes wrong#
- Show you want to be there

Duncan Yellowlees @dyellowlees.bsky.social · 3d

Just gonna leave this here for folks in Academia

“It is more fun to talk with someone who doesn’t use long, difficult words

but rather short, easy words

like,

‘What about lunch?’”

—Winnie the Pooh

Duncan Yellowlees @dyellowlees.bsky.social · 5d

Excellent 👌

Andy Arthur💃🏰⚓🦌 Threadinburgh 🧵 @threadinburgh.scot · 14d

Look what we have here then.

Duncan Yellowlees @dyellowlees.bsky.social · 6d

Speed vs complexity

In a talk, the trade-off of speed and complexity is a fine balance...

Fast + Complex = Overload 😢
Slow + Simple = Patronising 😢
Fast + Simple = Broad understanding 😁
Slow + Complex = Deep understanding 😁

#Academia #PHDChat #Research #Presentations

Duncan Yellowlees @dyellowlees.bsky.social · 7d

Don’t know the answer to a question? Say “I don’t know” – it’s fine.

Maybe you don’t know right now but could look it up – or you’ve forgotten cause of the stress of public speaking, It’s fine.

You are allowed – nay entitled – to say you don’t know. “Let’s chat afterwards” is a great follow up.

Duncan Yellowlees @dyellowlees.bsky.social · 8d

“It’s more of a comment than a question.”

We’ve all been there – and you don’t have to put up with it. If you’re the speaker, you own the space. Tactfully suggest that you’re prioritising people with questions? Roll your eyes? Throw things at them? The choice is yours!

#PHDChat #Presentations

Duncan Yellowlees @dyellowlees.bsky.social · 9d

“But that’s the way talks have always been done!” – academia has a huge status quo bias, change is slow.

Embrace your rebellious side and go do your talks differently! Audiences get bored, so novelty is a big asset. And by doing it YOUR WAY, it’ll be more honest, authentic, and genuine.

#PHDChat

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Duncan Yellowlees @dyellowlees.bsky.social · 10d

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Duncan Yellowlees @dyellowlees.bsky.social · 10d

Have little nervous habits when you present?

We all do. Some of us fiddle with keys & jewellery, maybe we hop or sway, & we say “err” & “um”. It’s not a problem unless it’s distracting the audience.

You can undo these habits, but focussing on other skills is usually more valuable.

#Academia

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Duncan Yellowlees @dyellowlees.bsky.social · 10d

Thanks!! I think I get a bit of a tour later!

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Duncan Yellowlees @dyellowlees.bsky.social · 10d

Today I shall mainly be at A PARTICLE ACCELERATOR!!

only a tad full of geeky excitement!

Duncan in front of a sign which reads "synchrotron"

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Duncan Yellowlees @dyellowlees.bsky.social · 13d

Presenting online isn’t much different - except, we have to fit it all into this little box.

Keep your hands inside the box by tucking your elbows in (T.rex style!).

That little box sucks also energy out, so put extra variety and emphasis into your voice, to avoid sounding too flat and boring.

Duncan Yellowlees @dyellowlees.bsky.social · 14d

Reflecting on the #vitaecon2025. Two thoughts that are meaningful to what we do.

1. Academia is often boring/formal and it shouldn't be. Not least because it stifles human connection

2. Public speaking skill/strategy is an essential capability needed to achieve the impact goals of modern research

Duncan Yellowlees @dyellowlees.bsky.social · 14d

Communication isn’t just the words you say. Saying “I’m fine!” with a smile, vs saying it with gritted teeth – big difference.

The emotion behind the words can change or reinforce their meaning. Speakers who emote, just a little, give their words more emphasis and guide the audience on how to feel.

Duncan Yellowlees @dyellowlees.bsky.social · 15d

“Always make eye contact” – really?

Directed, sustained, unbroken eye contact is a bit creepy.

An audience just needs to know that you’re including them – a bit of eye contact here & there, even just scanning across the room, is enough.

And it’s harder for some than others – so don’t judge.

Duncan Yellowlees @dyellowlees.bsky.social · 15d

Crucially not the sort of thing that qualifies as a question in a question session...

Writing Support @writing.support · 15d

ACADEMIC WORD OF THE DAY
Today's word (24/09/2025) is COMMENT: a statement of fact or opinion about something already written or mentioned. More at www.writing.support/academic-wor...
#AcWri #AcademicWriting #TESOL #AcademicSky #EduSky #ELT #TEFL

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Duncan Yellowlees @dyellowlees.bsky.social · 16d

Where should you stand when you present?

Where the audience can see you!

This is usually front & centre – not shrunk against the wall, or in the corner, or behind the lectern.

A blank button ((B) on the keyboard) is perfect for disappearing the slides when you want to be centre stage.

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Duncan Yellowlees @dyellowlees.bsky.social · 17d

What do I do with my hands?

They can direct the audience’s attention to the right place, add emphasis to what you say, & provide variety to keep the audience engaged.

They can also indicate: big things, small things, precise things, vague things, contrasting things, & connected things.

#PHDChat

Duncan Yellowlees @dyellowlees.bsky.social · 17d

Ahhh this is so cool! Thanks Louise! And well done to your student!

Reposted by Duncan Yellowlees

Katherine T. Tyson @katherinettyson.bsky.social · 18d

3D depiction of rainfall distribution across Great Britain.

England is a very dry place: London gets as much rain as Jerusalem.

With climate change, the south will need to prepare for even more acute water shortages.

Image of water distribution across the United Kingdom, demonstrating most rainfall happens along the western coast and Scotland. The image is by Alasdair Rae

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Duncan Yellowlees @dyellowlees.bsky.social · 18d

Vitae conf 2025 here we come!

Who's gonna be there?

Picture of Duncan on a train in a green check shirt

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Duncan Yellowlees @dyellowlees.bsky.social · 18d

Vitae conf 2025 here we come!

Who's gonna be there?