From Lab to Stage: Tips for Effective Research Presentations as a PhD Student

The Hidden Benefits of Presenting Research

Presenting your research isn’t just about sharing your findings – it’s also a valuable experience that helps you develop essential skills outside of the laboratory. I asked fellow PhD students at the recent Cross-Divisional Seminar what they gained from presenting their research.

What skills have you developed through presenting your research, and how have they helped you?

“Presenting has helped me think about the big picture and how different elements of my research connect. It’s also a great way to keep track of everything I’ve accomplished during my PhD so far.” – Florence Woods, third year PhD Developmental Biology student

“Presenting my research has helped me develop valuable skills—especially creating illustrative figures that make complex data more accessible. It’s taught me how to analyse long and detailed datasets, distil the key messages, and present them in a way that speaks to a broader audience. It’s a time investment that really pays off.” – Irene Rebollido Pedrido, second Year MCRC-CRUK PhD Cancer Sciences student

Beyond keeping research organised, presenting helps researchers refine their approach and stay focused on their core research question.

How does science communication benefit your career as a researcher?

“I want to work in health policy, so practicing how to write and speak for different audiences is essential for communicating with policymakers.” – Eleanor Richards, first year PhD Cancer Sciences student

“It reminds me to consider why I do each experiment and to make each one worth it – not get too buried in rabbit holes that may not actually be useful to the big question.” – Florence Woods

These reflections show how research communication can strengthen your sense of clarity and purpose. It also helps build your confidence, communication skills, and creates networking opportunities that can positively shape your research and career.

Overcoming the Challenges of Presenting Research

Even experienced speakers encounter hurdles when presenting their work. I asked students what challenges they’ve faced and how they’ve tackled them.

Have you faced any difficulties while presenting? How did you overcome them?

“My biggest challenge is managing my breath and pacing. I’ve started adding notes to remind myself to pause and breathe.” – Eleanor Richards

“One challenge I’ve faced is presenting in a second language, which can make it harder to express ideas as clearly or confidently as I’d like. To overcome this, I practice more than I would in my native language and try to keep my slides simple.”– Irene Rebollido Pedrido

Losing your place or feeling overwhelmed is common. The key is staying calm and composed. Another tricky area is handling unexpected or tough questions.

Have you ever been asked a difficult question during a presentation? How did you respond?

“I acknowledge it’s a good or challenging question. If I don’t know the answer, I give my best guess based on what I do know.” – Florence Woods

“If I’m unsure, I admit it and offer to follow up later by email. It’s okay not to have all the answers.” – Eleanor Richards

This strategy means that you remain confident while engaging with the audience, even when uncertain about an answer. Being transparent about knowledge gaps while offering thoughtful responses helps maintain credibility and encourages further discussion.

Oral Presentation Tips

Giving a research talk, especially to an audience outside your field, takes careful preparation. Florence and Eleanor share their strategies for planning and delivering an effective presentation.

How do you prepare for an oral presentation?

“I focus on practising the narrative and core take-home messages rather than memorising every word. I also ensure my slides transition logically so the flow feels natural.” – Florence Woods

“I usually start by outlining the key points I want to cover, then I practice out loud a few times – first on my own, then with a friend or colleague who can offer honest feedback.” – Irene Rebollido Pedrido

How do you structure your talk to keep the audience engaged, especially those from different disciplines?

“I start with the big-picture context and the main research question. I also include summary slides after each section to reinforce key messages.” – Florence Woods

“I try to include personal stories or lived experiences related to the research topic – it helps make the work relatable and engaging.” – Eleanor Richards

What’s your top tip for explaining complex research in a clear, accessible way?

“Keep it simple, use plain language, and explain the basic concepts of your work in case the audience are not familiar with your field.” – Eleanor Richards

“I focus on the big picture and always connect it back to the broader context and why the research matters. That’s why I feel the ‘background’ section of a presentation is so important – it creates the frame for the audience. I usually set this up right at the beginning, so people have a clear understanding before I dive into the specifics.” – Irene Rebollido Pedrido

Their advice highlights the importance of storytelling, structure, and simplicity in science communication.

Final Words of Advice

Mastering research presentation skills is essential for every PhD student. Whether you’re delivering a formal talk at a conference or just discussing your work informally at a networking event, strong communication can unlock new opportunities for collaboration, potential funding, and career growth.

As Florence and Eleanor shared, a few key principles can make all the difference:

“Less is more. Avoid overwhelming your audience with data and specialised knowledge – focus on high-level messages and how your findings fit into the bigger picture.” – Florence Woods

“Don’t be nervous. Practice until you feel confident and remember that no one knows your project better than you do. Focus on enjoying your talk, as it makes a huge difference in how your presentation comes across.” Irene Rebollido Pedrido

Ultimately, presenting your research is about more than sharing data – it’s about telling a story that resonates with your audience. By continuously refining your presentation style, you’ll make your research more accessible, impactful, and memorable.