What our students have to say
"I think it was great. I really benefited from the course in the sense that I had to quickly prepare to talk about complex parts of my project and deliver under pressure. This is probably one of the best ways to reinforce our critical thinking and adaptability."
Register your interest
Complete this Doctoral speaking registration form to register your interest..
Our 4-week courses provide doctoral students with practical training in successful spoken communication. They will give you the space to rehearse speaking activities such as presentations and vivas, as well as the day-to-day interactions of academic life.
You will focus on developing aspects of effective speaking such as strong audience awareness and engagement, clear purposeful narrative, concision and precision, and voice control. We will help you work towards achieving greater clarity and impact by exploring the language and strategies to do this.
How are the sessions structured?
- Before the session – you will be emailed a small amount of preparatory material
- In the session – you will have the opportunity to practise, usually in small groups, and receive teacher and peer feedback
- After the session – each session builds on the previous session, giving you time to reflect on your practice and work on improving your communicative strategies between sessions
Effective Speaking 1 and Effective Speaking 2
Effective Speaking 1: starting out with confidence
To help 1st-year doctoral students upgrade their spoken STEM communication in the early months of their doctoral programme.
You will focus on developing confidence, accuracy and flexibility when:
- explaining your research to a range of audiences
- explaining key concepts
- discussing and developing your project plan
- outlining your project plan
Starting Thursdays October 2026 and January 2027
Effective Speaking 2: succeeding at the ESA viva
To help doctoral students who have completed at least 5 months of their programme prepare for their Early Stage Assessment (ESA).
You will focus on being precise, concise and clear when:
- speaking about your research area and identifying connections with the work of others
- discussing literature gaps, research motivation and aims
- outlining the methodology you plan to adopt
- answering questions and responding to challenges
Starting Thursdays March 2027 and June 2027
Effective presentation skills and Effective Speaking 3
Effective Speaking 3
To prepare 3rd-/4th-year doctoral students for a range of activities in the final stages of their PhD.
You will focus on developing a confident and professional voice as you work on:
- developing skills and strategies for making connections and forging relationships in academic and professional settings
- rehearsing discussions of your research project and field in a variety of contexts, including interviews, funding bids and interdisciplinary work
- preparing for your viva
Dates to be confirmed
Effective Presentation Skills: presenting with impact
To prepare all doctoral students to communicate their research with confidence to a range of live audiences.
You will focus on delivering clear, engaging and impactful presentations as you work on:
- curating content and explaining your research in response to the context, purpose and audience
- guiding your audience through your narrative
-
using visuals, language and voice to make key messages clear
- anticipating questions and rehearsing for successful interaction
Starting Thursdays November 2026 and April 2027
View our full academic and professional speaking timetable
| Course | Day | Dates | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Effective speaking 1: starting out with confidence | Thursdays | 15 Oct - 5 Nov 2026 | 14.00 - 15.30 |
| Effective presentation skills: presenting with impact | Thursdays | 12 Nov - 3 Dec 2026 | 14.00 - 15.30 |
| Effective speaking 1: starting out with confidence | Thursdays | Starts January 2027 (date to be confirmed) | 14.00 - 15.30 |
| Effective speaking 2: succeeding at the ESA viva | Thursdays | Starts March 2027 (date to be confirmed) | 14.00 - 15.30 |
| Effective presentation skills: presenting with impact | Thursdays | Starts April 2027 (date to be confirmed) | 14.00 - 15.30 |
| Effective speaking 2: succeeding at the ESA viva | Thursdays | Starts June 2027 (date to be confirmed) | 14.00 - 15.30 |
| Effective speaking 3 | Dates to be confirmed |
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