"You're at a conference. The lights are low, it's the last speaker of the day, engagement has hit rock bottom and the audience completely tunes out. Phones come out and everyone is running the clock down; the speaker even apologizes for getting in the way of the networking drinks. Re-imagine this setting as a gig: the lights are low, it's the last act of the day, the band walks onto the stage, engagement goes through the roof and the audience explodes with excitement."
"I research and teach immunology at Imperial College London and have also dabbled in public engagement as a popular-science author, so a chunk of my job focuses on public speaking. I have even tried stand-up comedy (the audience laughed, sometimes in the correct places). I also love live music. But the question is, what can researchers learn from performers to improve science talks?"
Researchers often present talks at conferences, but low engagement is common, especially for late-day speakers. Concert-style performances generate high audience energy and encore demand, suggesting transferable techniques. A researcher experienced in public engagement, popular-science writing, stand-up comedy, and live music queries how performers' methods could improve science talks. Conference presentations serve career functions: keynote invitations signal esteem and assist promotion. Selection often values an 'interesting story' more than storytelling skill. Strong presentations raise individual and team profiles, advertise laboratories, and attract collaborators. Science talks also aim to inform, educate, and inspire.
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