Category Archives: Talks

What you really need instead of an elevator pitch

Posted on July 31, 2017 by

I bet you’re feeling a little guilty whenever someone asks you if you have an elevator pitch, you know, those 30 second or 1 minute talks about what you do that can be given in the time it takes to … Continue reading →

Posted in Communication, Talks | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Improv for scientific communication with Aniek Ivens

Posted on June 26, 2017 by

How I wish I understood you, but I have no idea what you are talking about. You seem friendly and animated and clearly love your research, but what is your question? Why do you like this figure so much? What … Continue reading →

Posted in Communication, Creativity, Science writing for the public, Scientific meetings, Talks | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Why are chalk talks so hard?

Posted on March 7, 2017 by

Have I ever heard a good chalk talk? Do they really even help us make a wise decision? I can think of some spectacular failures in hiring the right person based on the chalk talk in the past at another … Continue reading →

Posted in Interviewing, Jobs, Talks, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Chalk talks: how to avoid 10 pitfalls

Posted on October 11, 2016 by

You got an interview for a job, a faculty or a postdoctoral position! But they want you to do a chalk talk. What do you do? What is a chalk talk anyway? First of all, be sure you find out … Continue reading →

Posted in Interviewing, Jobs, Talks, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

There is a new self-sign-up list of women and underrepresented minorities in ecology and evolution

Posted on February 27, 2016 by

Are you wondering where all the women are? Are you tired of meetings with only a couple women in prominent speaking spots? I think even well-meaning people do not think of us quickly.  Or they think of the same handful … Continue reading →

Posted in bias, Gender bias, Talks, White male bias | 2 Comments

What exactly is a scientific sandbox or sandpit?

Posted on August 17, 2014 by

Our program notes say that a sandbox is an interactive session to stimulate new collaborations, ideas, and discussion. This sounds like a great idea, but I’m having a hard time understanding what exactly it means. Should it be held in … Continue reading →

Posted in Presentations and seminars, Scientific meetings, Talks, Teaching | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Don’t you want to share your slides? Here’s an easy way to do it!

Posted on April 23, 2014 by

A friend of mine here at Wash U, Liz Dorland, shares all her talks. She works on effective science teaching, so I refer to her talks often. Liz uses Slideshare for this. Since she discovered it, it might be good … Continue reading →

Posted in Helping others, Presentations and seminars, Scientific community, Scientific meetings, Seminars, Talks, Teaching | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment