Yes, And…: Improv-Powered Public Speaking for Visualization Researchers
Description:
Presenting research well is a core academic skill, yet most graduate students get little formal training in it. This meetup is a hands-on lunchtime series adapted from a public speaking seminar series for graduate students at the University of Toronto. Each daily session pairs a short, practical lesson with improv exercises that get everyone on their feet. Improv builds the core habits of a strong speaker: listening, building on ideas ("yes, and"), and staying composed when things go off-script. These habits help participants manage nerves and think on their feet. Topics across the week include structuring a talk around a clear story, slide design for visualization research, voice and presence, handling Q&A (including tough questions), and technical details such as timing, live demos, and flow. Each session stands alone, so attendees can drop in once or come every day, though skills build across the series. No experience is needed, just a willingness to try things in a supportive, low-stakes setting. Participants will leave with concrete techniques for their next conference talk, job talk, or thesis defense. Prospective audience: Mainly graduate students, though early-career researchers and anyone preparing a VIS talk are welcome.
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