Day two of the Society for Conservation Biology conference. While I love this stuff, I admit there are times I'm sitting in a talk and my eyes are heavy with boredom. It's the very same phenomenon that happens in congressional offices during long tedious briefings when we the people are overscienced and under stimulated. Like much in the natural world, this is mainly about stimulation. With regard to lackluster talks, several factors may be at fault (and let me be the first to insist that I am no doubt guilty of several now and then). After a day of both stellar and not-so-much seminars, my Top 10 Recommendations to Scientists after the jump.. 1) Be interested in your topic. It's your research so odds are you're likely involved because it's fascinating to you. Convey that. Talk about why it's exciting and potential implications. Don't simply go through the motions of what you did because it will sound like a standard 3rd grade book report. If you appear apathetic, why should anyone listening care? 2) Know your audience. I learned early on that fishermen in Maine do not want to stare at statistics and a seasoned scientist is generally less amused by references to The Amazing Race than a 23 yr old House staffer hooked on reality tv. It can be challenging, but make an effort to compose slides with those you want to engage in mind. They'll notice and appreciate that. 3) Practice. Please. 4) Conservation scientists take note: Do NOT depress. This is a big one. It's easy to point to examples of global disasters while showing photos of dead animals and vegetation, but if I truly believed ours was a hopeless situation, I would not pursue this field. And for goodness sake - this is double important if you're a professor! If your main message is the planet is going to he** in a handbasket, keep it to yourself and don't be the person influencing the next generation of conservation scientists. (This is a huge pet peeve of mine). 5) Dress to impress. Much about our credibility is conveyed before we utter a word. Look the part. It's easy to insist in our modern world, we're interested in substance over style, but we're a species always sizing up situations by visual cues. Be neat and confident. Speak slowly and intelligently. 6) Say only what you need to. Don't overdo it. If you've prepared a good lecture, the right questions will follow. And in that regard, do ask your own questions and get everyone thinking about your topic with you. 7) Do something unexpected. You may not be the one working on the most charismatic species, but if your presentation includes an unusual photo or reference, yours will be the talk that people remember. Throw a curveball and be prepared to catch it. 8) Don't tell bad jokes. Period. You're not a comedian, you're a scientist. Unless you're funny. And it doesn't count if you think you're funny, get an outside opinion on this. 9) Don't do all the work for your audience. Make them think about problem solving by listening to your talk. You may even find afterwards someone will approach you with a different perspective and new ideas. 10) Don't take yourself too seriously. Convey your expertise without sounding like the research consumes all of your waking hours. Remember our time here is brief and far too transient to stress or argue about the intricacies of one topic. In summary, it's quite simple really. Love what you do, and your audience will as well. Give em some intellectual stimulation and they'll be anxiously anticipating more.
