Luke Parkinson, CSPSW, Lancaster University (2021 Cohort)

Public speaking has always been a bit of a challenge for me. Prior to starting my PhD, I spent a long time becoming an expert in avoiding ways of having to confront my difficulties with public speaking, which have followed me since my early school days when I would struggle with stuttering and speaking very quietly. Although I’ve become confident enough in speaking in small groups, such as seminars, there is something very unsettling about a large audience that takes me back to the same difficulties I’d had in primary school with confidence and clear speech, and when giving a conference presentation or a lecture, I often found myself very anxious and unsure of how I was coming across to my audience.

So, when I saw the opportunity to attend a communication skills session with Georgie from Put Yourself Across at the University of Manchester, I decided to take the leap and try to confront some of the difficulties I had. Meeting other NWSSDTP students, hearing about their own struggles with public speaking, and discussing some of the assumed skills that come along with researching a PhD was really valuable. They certainly made me feel less alone in my journey to becoming a more confident speaker. The skills session was based around a 1:1 session with Georgie, which was a really insightful experience.

In just one minute of hearing me speak, Georgie identified ways I could improve. I didn’t realise how much of an impact I could have on both my own perception and the audience’s simply by paying attention to how I was speaking. One of the most valuable insights she shared was about my tendency to move around while talking. I think I may have initially gotten this idea from watching TED talks, but I’d always imagined that moving around while talking might make me somewhat approachable, energetic and dynamic. However, it might have been more accurate to say distracting, unhinged and overcaffeinated.

My anxiety about speaking in front of a large audience had me moving so much that within 20 seconds of speaking, I had unintentionally walked myself to the door of the lecture theatre we were practising in! Georgie pointed this out gently and went on to really show me the importance of standing still and moving with intention, which we then practised together.

Another thing I hadn’t considered was how much my body language, tone of voice, and even what I did with my hands influenced how my message was received. I’d always focused on content, assuming it was the most crucial part of a presentation. Georgie helped me to rethink that assumption. She got me to consider not just what I was saying but why I was saying it—and how to ensure that message came across clearly.

Georgie also challenged me to rethink my use of PowerPoint slides. I’d always relied on them to simultaneously support my presentations and act as notes for my speech. I hadn’t fully considered the message they were sending or the difference between having my own notes, slides and then audience handouts. Her advice pushed me to be more deliberate with how I used slides, ensuring they complemented rather than distracted from my speech. Georgie also encouraged me to consider my role within a presentation, the most crucial part being what I had to say and how I was saying it, rather than the information I included on my slides.

Altogether, I would say that the communication skills training was some of the most practically useful I’ve taken during my PhD. A few days after the session, I had to participate in a panel discussion in front of 100 people. Thanks to Georgie’s guidance, I was able to use the skills she taught me, and it made a huge difference in my confidence and how I delivered my message. Public speaking is still something I need to practice, but Georgie’s teaching and encouragement have been incredibly powerful. If you ever get the chance to work with her and attend a skills training session, I can’t recommend it enough. The skills I learnt in the 1:1 session were very practical and carried over to life outside of my PhD.