Communicating Effectively

  • Type: short course in the lifelong learning program at the Faculty of Sciences at Ghent University
  • Lecturers: Dr. Danny Haelewaters (Department of Biology) and Dr. Robin Devroe (Department of Political Sciences)
  • Offered: 2025–2026
  • Semester: Spring
  • Campus: Ledeganck
  • Time: Six session, 09/02, 23/02, 02/03, 09/03, 16/03, 23/03, 17:00–20:00 CET
  • Fee: 1170 EUR for participants from the private sector (reduced prices apply to students and staff from non-profit, social profit, and government organizations)

More information and registration via the Science Academy

Description

In this course, we will introduce different forms of communication, from oral presentations and debates to written press releases and popular scientific articles. We will delve deeper into strategies to determine a central message and convey it clearly. The focus will be on oral presentations. People absorb information in different ways, which makes it important to work on different, complementary levels when presenting. Therefore, we will learn how to present effectively and make presentations visually attractive through both informative lectures and hands-on exercises. In addition, we will practice discussing, reinforcing a message, and communicating effectively on the spot using a debate format (depending on the number of participants).

Contents

  • Different forms of communication
  • Elevator pitch
  • How do you determine the central message to convey?
  • How do you make your presentation visual attractive?
  • How do you give an effective oral presentation?
  • How do you effectively convey your message in a debate?

Teaching methods

Oral lessons, class discussions, group work (debate), individual tasks ( preparing and giving presentation)

Target audience

Recent graduates, teachers, PhD students, adults interested in presentation techniques

Textbook

Van de Water H, Verlinden T (2018) The floor is yours: leren presenteren van brainstorm tot applaus. 2e editie. Academia Press, Gent. 230 pp. https://thefloorisyours.be/nl/producten/book/the-floor-is-yours/

Some copies of the book are available for consultation from the lecturers.