{"id":4317,"date":"2026-03-17T12:14:55","date_gmt":"2026-03-17T11:14:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/pintra-en\/?p=4317"},"modified":"2026-03-31T08:37:52","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T07:37:52","slug":"where-science-and-storytelling-meet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/pintra-en\/where-science-and-storytelling-meet\/","title":{"rendered":"Where science and storytelling meet"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

How PRESS>SPEAK helps researchers turn their research into stories that stick<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Every researcher knows the feeling: your topic is complex, your data are complicated and your time is scarce. And yet, whether at a family gathering, for a journalist, for your faculty blog or for the stakeholders of your project, you want to make it clear in a short time why your work matters. The annual PRESS>SPEAK competition helps researchers do exactly that. Four participants share their experiences and their best communication tips.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From raw message to accessible story<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

PRESS>SPEAK candidates receive thorough preparation for the competition<\/strong>: they learn to search for their key message, build a clear story around it and learn to avoid or clarify jargon. Those who take part in the presentation competition practise in small groups and receive feedback on clarity, structure and visual support. Participants in the writing competition receive general training and individual coaching.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Caroline Bossuyt<\/a> (participant in 2023) discovered how these opportunities to practise strengthened her self-confidence: \u2018Soon I\u2019ll be speaking on Weetikveel Academy, a podcast created by national public broadcaster VRT 1. That\u2019s quite a step outside my comfort zone, but much more feasible thanks to PRESS>SPEAK. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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PRESS>SPEAK helped me take a first step and then the snowball kept rolling, a growth path that suits me much better than making one big leap all at once.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

– Caroline Bossuyt<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Caroline has since also recorded a video, appeared on stage at the Fusieshow and the Nerdland Festival, and contributed to several newspaper articles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready for the stage<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Just before the presentation competition, there is a technical run-through:<\/strong> getting to know the room, the microphone and the slide clicker. That check often helps calm the nerves. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the competition itself, learning opportunities take centre stage:<\/strong> there are questions from the audience and the jury provides feedback. This gives a good sense of what works: a strong opening, concrete examples, a clear metaphor, a conclusion that brings the audience back to the bigger picture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Winners stand out to the jury and the audience because of their crystal-clear message<\/strong> and their enthusiasm<\/strong>. Not too many details, no overloaded slides, but a story you could retell at the kitchen table in the evening. On the day of the competition, it also becomes clear which text resonates most. A jury and the audience present indicate their preference and the winning texts appear on UAntwerp\u2019s Stroom platform<\/a> and in The Bulletin<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Charlotte Harding<\/a> (participant in 2025) noticed how that visibility opens doors: \u2018The more people get to know your research, the more opportunities arise for collaboration or interest from funders, partners or end users. You don\u2019t have to wait until your results are finalised; this is worthwhile for young researchers too. The video I was able to record after the competition has already proven very useful. And I still follow the communication of the colleagues from my competition group with great curiosity.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The more people get to know your research, the more opportunities arise for collaboration or interest from funders, partners or end users.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

– Charlotte Harding<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Tips from an expert<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Emilie Cardon<\/a>, participant in 2021 and member of the science communication team, compiled the most important presentation tips on Teams<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Her key takeaways:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Think about your audience<\/strong>: who are you speaking to, what do they already know, what do they want to know?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Formulate your key message in one sentence<\/strong>. What should they definitely remember?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Build a clear story:<\/strong> from problem to approach, example and a closing with impact. Cut the side issues.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Use an attention grabber<\/strong>: a joke, a question for the audience, a metaphor, a link with current events, etc.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Use slides sparingly<\/strong>. Mainly make them visual<\/strong> (for example a photo or a diagram) to support your story.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. Practise out loud<\/strong> with a stopwatch, microphone and clicker. Vary your pace, intonation and pauses. People prefer listening to someone who speaks a little more slowly.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Write clearly<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Many of these tips also apply to writing: keep your audience in mind and tailor your key message to them. How do you start? Begin with a blank page (so don\u2019t simply copy your paper). <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Also make sure to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n