Presentation Skills
Presentation and public speaking skills are required of all graduate students and postdoctoral scholars for success in their programs and chosen career fields. For English language learners, additional resources are available to help address the challenges of communicating in a non-native language.
Skill Review
Review these skills, and consider if you have already developed the skill enough for your future career plans, expect to develop the skill as part of your program, or need to find additional resources to support developing the skill:
- I can present research orally as a lecture
- I can present research in a job talk format
- I can produce effective visual presentation materials, including slides and posters
- I can present an effective elevator pitch to another specialist
- I can present an effective elevator pitch to a non-specialist audience
- I can tailor presentations to be accessible to diverse audiences
- I can produce and present effective visualizations of data
- I can use social media to promote and communicate research
- I can deliver performances as appropriate to my field
On Demand Content
In the video on Presenting Online, acclaimed educator Hugh Kearns shares strategies specifically designed to help you deliver engaging, confident, and effective virtual presentations—an increasingly essential skill in today’s academic and professional environments where online talks, conferences, and meetings are commonplace.
Opportunities for Presentation and Practice
Grad Slam is a signature University of California competition, typically held in April, where master’s and doctoral students across the University of California—in disciplines ranging from the hard sciences to the humanities—sum up their research for a general audience. In this UC-wide celebration of graduate student research, participants showcase the significance and fundamental points of their work in a clear, direct and interesting manner for a panel of judges. In preparation for GradSlam, GradPathways offers general presentation skills training each Winter quarter, as well as information sessions specifically for prospective GradSlam contestants.
The Postdoctoral Research Symposium offers postdoctoral scholars a full-day, conference-style experience focused on advancing research communication and professional visibility. This event provides multiple presentation formats—including plenary sessions, flash talks, and poster sessions—allowing postdocs to tailor their participation to their interests and goals. The symposium creates a professional forum for sharing research with peers, faculty, and campus leaders, while strengthening presentation skills, fostering interdisciplinary connections, and supporting postdocs as they prepare for future academic and professional conferences.
Teaching and Presentation Anxiety
Fear of public speaking and presentation-related anxiety are common among academics at every career stage. UC Davis offers a range of mental health and wellness resources to support graduate students through Student Health and Counseling Services (SHCS) and postdoctoral scholars through the Academic and Staff Assistance Program. These services include confidential counseling, individual appointments, brief therapy, and group therapy designed to address stress, anxiety, confidence concerns, and performance-related challenges. SHCS also offers workshops and skill-building sessions focused on anxiety management, providing practical techniques to help manage nervousness before presentations and talks. In addition, evidence-based resources—such as deep-breathing techniques and cognitive reframing—can help both graduate students and postdocs reduce fear and build confidence in academic and professional speaking settings.
Presentation Skills Consultations
The Center for Educational Effectiveness offers a range of possible consultations to graduate students and postdocs on teaching and learning topics commonly encountered by Teaching Assistants (TAs) and Associate Instructors (AIs). All consultations are free and confidential.
Community Resources for Presentation Skills
In addition to program-based presentation training and practices, and campuswide workshops and series, a number of community groups also provide avenues to develop confidence and skill with presentations.
The local Toastmasters community—including clubs like Davis Town and Gown Toastmasters—provides graduate students and postdocs with an excellent opportunity to sharpen their communication, public speaking, and leadership skills in a supportive environment. Toastmasters International is a global nonprofit educational organisation dedicated to helping members develop confidence and competence in speaking and leading through regular practice, constructive feedback, and structured learning paths. Meeting weekly, these clubs welcome members and guests alike to practice prepared and impromptu speeches, take on leadership roles, and receive feedback—all of which can enhance performance in research presentations, teaching, networking, and professional settings. For early-career researchers, participating in Toastmasters offers a practical way to build confidence, reduce anxiety around public speaking, expand professional networks, and improve the clarity and impact of academic communication—skills that are invaluable in both academic and non-academic careers.
Developing fluency in English
International graduate students are required to demonstrate English language proficiency on admission, usually through testing (such as the TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo). Depending on these scores, students may be required to take English language courses in addition to their required program coursework.
In addition, there are additional resources on and off campus to further develop fluency and cultural connection. Global Affairs offers Language & Culture Coaching (LCC) with different tracks to focus on specific aspects of language learning.
In addition, the International House, a local non-profit organization dedicated to nurturing cultural exchange, hosts numerous conversation groups in various languages for a low fee.