Language skills

Prof Laura Vejarano

Data storytelling and visualization can play an essential role in the effective communication of research. As pointed out by the data visualization expert Stephen Few, "Numbers have an important story to tell. They rely on you to give them a clear and convincing voice."

This course will provide participants with specific guidelines and models for achieving successful data storytelling techniques with a focus on data, presentations in the form of narrations and appropriate visuals that are both clear and engaging. Attention will be given to common errors as well as useful vocabulary. 

In-class activities will focus on theories, which will be put into practice through presentations and simulations of actual research projects as well as interactions within work groups. 

Goals and content

The lessons will be to provide participants with a greater awareness of data storytelling techniques and an arena for putting them into practice and receiving constructive feedback both from the instructor and fellow students.

Charts, graphs and images

• choosng the right graph or image for type of data;
• simplifying (de-cluttering) for greater impact- the data link ratio;
• using color effectively in data visualization.

Storytelling

• developing and building an effective story;
• focusing on insights and turning points to build the narration;
• writing and editing text effectively in line with visuals;
• drawing relevant links and conclusions within the narration

Presentation skills

• presenting ideas and data effectively and persuasively;
• using voice and body language appropriately;
• understanding and responding to questions

Calendar

4 workshop separated by level:

Intermediate level

• 6 May from 9.30 to 11.30
• 13 May from 9.30 to 11.30
• 20 May from 9.30 to 11.30
• 27 May from 9.30 to 11.30

Level C1

• 8 May from 9.30 to 11.30
• 15 May from 9.30 to 11.30
• 22 May from 9.30 to 11.30
• 29 May from 19.30 to 11.30

Prof Federica Missaglia

With the university reform, the educational focus of the academy has shifted from the acquisition of knowledge alone (generally of a theoretical nature) to the acquisition of knowledge and skills, that is, alongside theoretical knowledge, also of practical, expendable and applicative skills.

Among the most sought-after skills in all public and private sectors and especially in the professional field, transversal skills, the so-called soft skills, are at the top of the list today. We distinguish between cognitive soft skills (e.g. critical sense, creativity, decision-making and problem-solving skills), emotional soft skills (e.g. awareness, management of emotions and stress) and relational soft skills (e.g. empathy, communication and relational skills).

Objectives

In the field of relational skills there are communication skills in Italian and in a foreign language: it is necessary to be able to effectively transfer different types of content through oral communication skills.

To enter the world of work, it is necessary to be able to effectively transfer content through oral communication skills. With regard specifically to those who carry out research activities in the academic field or in the public or private sector, among the ways of disseminating the results of scientific research there is also public discourse: the university lecture, the seminar, the report at a scientific conference, etc.

Structure and timetable

• The Base
  the collection of material. The essential questions: Who? To whom? What? Where? When? Why? The fundamentals of communication (theories and models).
• The Columns
  the arrangement of the material. Rhetoric in numbers: appeals, genres, aims, parts of speech.
• The Entablature  (architrave and frieze)
  the writing of the speech. How to turn ideas into words and how to make them effective.
• The Pediment
  the memorization of speech. Materials and supports for the speech, the preparation of the speaker, time management.
• The Tympanum
  the presentation of the speech. Verbal and non-verbal aspects (voice, mimicry, proxemics, gestures, body language).

The meetings will take place according to seminar methods and will be integrated by the analysis and commentary of best practices with the support of audiovisual material in English. A good (at least passive) knowledge of the English language is therefore necessary. Participants will also have the opportunity to carry out  simulations of public speeches. Participants will be divided into two groups in alphabetical order.  

First group:
From 8 to 12 June, 10:00 -13:00

Second group:
From 15 to 19 June, 10:00 - 13:00

Prof John L. Dennis

While doing your PhD you will learn, fundamentally, how to do research within your specialized area – where the final production is the production of an original PhD thesis. When you are doing that you will need to gain a tremendous amount of specialized knowledge within your subfield.

The ability to communicate the importance of your research and articulate your findings is very valuable. Three Minute Thesis (3MT) provides you with an opportunity to do just that.

In this seminars you will learn how to pitch your PhD in 180 seconds to a generalist audience. In so doing you will learn how to answer the following questions:

Why should people care?

What's the bigger picture?

How does your work (no matter how small your contribution) fit into that larger picture?

To do this you will do the following:

Learn how to write for your audience; learn how to generate a clear take away; tell a compelling story with a beginning, middle and end; learn how to create a single slide that clearly identifies what your research story; work on your presentation rhythm; effectively use body language; learn how to evaluate 3MTs

Goals and content

• Communicate your ideas effectively to the wider community;
• Describe your research findings to a non-specialist audience;  
• Crystalise your thoughts about your thesis;
• Increase your profile within the research community, staff and wider UCSC community
• Network with other UCSC PhD students.

Calendar

First group:

• March 6th from 9:00 to 12.00
• March 13th from 9:00 to 12.00
• March 20th from 9:00 to 12.00

Second group:

• March 6th from 14:00 to 17:00
• March 13th from 14:00 to 17:00
• March 20th from 14:00 to 17:00