Duncan Yellowlees
@dyellowlees.bsky.social
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
✨ 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
Academics love to add detail
Audiences hate too much detail
This is a core challenge of presentations.
Between overly complex and incorrectly simple lies a magic space I call Useful simplicity.
All you need to get the idea but not overwhelming.
Audiences hate too much detail
This is a core challenge of presentations.
Between overly complex and incorrectly simple lies a magic space I call Useful simplicity.
All you need to get the idea but not overwhelming.
February 6, 2026 at 10:45 AM
Academics love to add detail
Audiences hate too much detail
This is a core challenge of presentations.
Between overly complex and incorrectly simple lies a magic space I call Useful simplicity.
All you need to get the idea but not overwhelming.
Audiences hate too much detail
This is a core challenge of presentations.
Between overly complex and incorrectly simple lies a magic space I call Useful simplicity.
All you need to get the idea but not overwhelming.
When presenting data...
MAKE IT EASY FOR THEM TO SEE THE IMPORTANT BIT
MAKE IT EASY FOR THEM TO SEE THE IMPORTANT BIT
January 21, 2026 at 9:24 AM
When presenting data...
MAKE IT EASY FOR THEM TO SEE THE IMPORTANT BIT
MAKE IT EASY FOR THEM TO SEE THE IMPORTANT BIT
If you want to really really get better at presenting, training and courses will only take you so far.
There comes a point where you need to DO it, get feedback and do it again.
The feedback loop is what helps you improve.
There comes a point where you need to DO it, get feedback and do it again.
The feedback loop is what helps you improve.
January 16, 2026 at 10:22 AM
If you want to really really get better at presenting, training and courses will only take you so far.
There comes a point where you need to DO it, get feedback and do it again.
The feedback loop is what helps you improve.
There comes a point where you need to DO it, get feedback and do it again.
The feedback loop is what helps you improve.
People who learn scripts can get very caught up in saying the right word.
To the point they stumble if they use a different one of the script.
But is almost never words that matter... its the meaning you make, and there are lots of different routes to that meaning.
To the point they stumble if they use a different one of the script.
But is almost never words that matter... its the meaning you make, and there are lots of different routes to that meaning.
January 7, 2026 at 9:38 AM
People who learn scripts can get very caught up in saying the right word.
To the point they stumble if they use a different one of the script.
But is almost never words that matter... its the meaning you make, and there are lots of different routes to that meaning.
To the point they stumble if they use a different one of the script.
But is almost never words that matter... its the meaning you make, and there are lots of different routes to that meaning.
If you want people to care about your data you have to show them the 'meaning'...
This line is higher than this line....so what??
This spiky bit is cool... so what??
Data is an idicator of something, never forget to tell your audience what that something is!
This line is higher than this line....so what??
This spiky bit is cool... so what??
Data is an idicator of something, never forget to tell your audience what that something is!
January 2, 2026 at 10:05 AM
If you want people to care about your data you have to show them the 'meaning'...
This line is higher than this line....so what??
This spiky bit is cool... so what??
Data is an idicator of something, never forget to tell your audience what that something is!
This line is higher than this line....so what??
This spiky bit is cool... so what??
Data is an idicator of something, never forget to tell your audience what that something is!
A pause in a presentation is great for your audience. It gives them time to process what you just said and builds anticipation for what you are about to say.
You don't have to fill ALL the space with words.
You don't have to fill ALL the space with words.
December 29, 2025 at 8:16 AM
A pause in a presentation is great for your audience. It gives them time to process what you just said and builds anticipation for what you are about to say.
You don't have to fill ALL the space with words.
You don't have to fill ALL the space with words.
You can communicate complex/detailed information slowly
OR Simple information fast.
You can't do complex info fast
Presenting is usually a FAST medium.
Do less stuff, slower!
OR Simple information fast.
You can't do complex info fast
Presenting is usually a FAST medium.
Do less stuff, slower!
December 26, 2025 at 10:41 AM
You can communicate complex/detailed information slowly
OR Simple information fast.
You can't do complex info fast
Presenting is usually a FAST medium.
Do less stuff, slower!
OR Simple information fast.
You can't do complex info fast
Presenting is usually a FAST medium.
Do less stuff, slower!
If most of the presentations you see are kinda boring... if you want to be better you have to be different.
We won't get exciting energised presentations by doing the same as everyone else.
We won't get exciting energised presentations by doing the same as everyone else.
December 18, 2025 at 8:27 AM
If most of the presentations you see are kinda boring... if you want to be better you have to be different.
We won't get exciting energised presentations by doing the same as everyone else.
We won't get exciting energised presentations by doing the same as everyone else.
Setting up a conflict structure is great whenever you need to compare two things, call people to action, or persuade.
It highlights the differences between the two situations, or outcomes.
The audience invests in how will this resolve, will one side win?
It highlights the differences between the two situations, or outcomes.
The audience invests in how will this resolve, will one side win?
November 27, 2025 at 8:25 AM
Setting up a conflict structure is great whenever you need to compare two things, call people to action, or persuade.
It highlights the differences between the two situations, or outcomes.
The audience invests in how will this resolve, will one side win?
It highlights the differences between the two situations, or outcomes.
The audience invests in how will this resolve, will one side win?
Eating cold crumble for breakfast while watching the snow fall feels like a vibe.
November 19, 2025 at 7:55 AM
Eating cold crumble for breakfast while watching the snow fall feels like a vibe.
My Newsletter has over 500 researchers in it, all getting better at presentations every week!
Come and join us
thoughtful-motivator...
Come and join us
thoughtful-motivator...
November 12, 2025 at 9:51 AM
My Newsletter has over 500 researchers in it, all getting better at presentations every week!
Come and join us
thoughtful-motivator...
Come and join us
thoughtful-motivator...
Do you want to get better at giving presentations and talks?
Join over 700 researchers and get weekly tips, thoughts, and the odd rant straight to your inbox!
thoughtful-motivator...
Join over 700 researchers and get weekly tips, thoughts, and the odd rant straight to your inbox!
thoughtful-motivator...
November 11, 2025 at 7:21 AM
Do you want to get better at giving presentations and talks?
Join over 700 researchers and get weekly tips, thoughts, and the odd rant straight to your inbox!
thoughtful-motivator...
Join over 700 researchers and get weekly tips, thoughts, and the odd rant straight to your inbox!
thoughtful-motivator...
In DY training we are experts in presentation skills specifically for Universities.
Want your PHD's and ECR's to be more confident at conferences?
This is what we do 👇
Want your PHD's and ECR's to be more confident at conferences?
This is what we do 👇
November 6, 2025 at 8:58 AM
In DY training we are experts in presentation skills specifically for Universities.
Want your PHD's and ECR's to be more confident at conferences?
This is what we do 👇
Want your PHD's and ECR's to be more confident at conferences?
This is what we do 👇
Want to know what we talk about in my Presenter Academy newsletter?
Here is a sneak peak
Interested, comment below and I'll send you the sign up link.
Here is a sneak peak
Interested, comment below and I'll send you the sign up link.
November 5, 2025 at 9:10 AM
Want to know what we talk about in my Presenter Academy newsletter?
Here is a sneak peak
Interested, comment below and I'll send you the sign up link.
Here is a sneak peak
Interested, comment below and I'll send you the sign up link.
Quite an epic bike ride today over the moors of Northumberland.
It is getting cooolld though!
20 miles 1875ft elevation
It is getting cooolld though!
20 miles 1875ft elevation
November 2, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Quite an epic bike ride today over the moors of Northumberland.
It is getting cooolld though!
20 miles 1875ft elevation
It is getting cooolld though!
20 miles 1875ft elevation
An academic career grants A LOT of knowledge about your thing.
Remember most people you talk to won't know the same things you know.
Remember most people you talk to won't know the same things you know.
October 28, 2025 at 7:39 AM
An academic career grants A LOT of knowledge about your thing.
Remember most people you talk to won't know the same things you know.
Remember most people you talk to won't know the same things you know.
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.
You can usually have 2/3 but not all.
The most important is clarity.
October 9, 2025 at 9:13 AM
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.
You can usually have 2/3 but not all.
The most important is clarity.
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
- 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
October 7, 2025 at 8:08 AM
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
- 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
Today I shall mainly be at A PARTICLE ACCELERATOR!!
only a tad full of geeky excitement!
only a tad full of geeky excitement!
September 29, 2025 at 8:06 AM
Today I shall mainly be at A PARTICLE ACCELERATOR!!
only a tad full of geeky excitement!
only a tad full of geeky excitement!
Vitae conf 2025 here we come!
Who's gonna be there?
Who's gonna be there?
September 21, 2025 at 11:49 AM
Vitae conf 2025 here we come!
Who's gonna be there?
Who's gonna be there?
Vitae conf 2025 here we come!
Who's gonna be there?
Who's gonna be there?
September 21, 2025 at 11:49 AM
Vitae conf 2025 here we come!
Who's gonna be there?
Who's gonna be there?
NEW WORKSHOPS!
Over the summer, Matt and I have totally rebuilt our workshop offer. Link in comments
It was a chaotic process, involving many cups of tea and sticky notes!
Get in touch if you want to chat about brining us to your institution to join the fight against shit academic presenting!
Over the summer, Matt and I have totally rebuilt our workshop offer. Link in comments
It was a chaotic process, involving many cups of tea and sticky notes!
Get in touch if you want to chat about brining us to your institution to join the fight against shit academic presenting!
September 3, 2025 at 10:30 AM
NEW WORKSHOPS!
Over the summer, Matt and I have totally rebuilt our workshop offer. Link in comments
It was a chaotic process, involving many cups of tea and sticky notes!
Get in touch if you want to chat about brining us to your institution to join the fight against shit academic presenting!
Over the summer, Matt and I have totally rebuilt our workshop offer. Link in comments
It was a chaotic process, involving many cups of tea and sticky notes!
Get in touch if you want to chat about brining us to your institution to join the fight against shit academic presenting!
3 presentation lessons from K-pop demon hunters...👇
Jokes, I'm not that lame.
Seriously though it's literally all about the power of authentic voice, not confirming to others expectations and badass swords.
Do yourself a favour and go watch it.
Jokes, I'm not that lame.
Seriously though it's literally all about the power of authentic voice, not confirming to others expectations and badass swords.
Do yourself a favour and go watch it.
September 2, 2025 at 8:44 AM
3 presentation lessons from K-pop demon hunters...👇
Jokes, I'm not that lame.
Seriously though it's literally all about the power of authentic voice, not confirming to others expectations and badass swords.
Do yourself a favour and go watch it.
Jokes, I'm not that lame.
Seriously though it's literally all about the power of authentic voice, not confirming to others expectations and badass swords.
Do yourself a favour and go watch it.
After an excellent meeting, I'm having a coffee shop working kinda day... it comes with cake!
August 27, 2025 at 2:10 PM
After an excellent meeting, I'm having a coffee shop working kinda day... it comes with cake!