Information for Presenters

Scientifique

Medway Café

Sponsored and organised by

The conventional Q&A format maintains a one-way flow of information (from expert to audience), and rarely engages everyone present (even if each gets a 'turn' to ask a question). Use the café as an opportunity to foster a group discussion that involves everyone.

Cafés have a moderator / host that will help you maintain a group conversation after your initial presentation. Arrive early to the event to establish a rapport with the attendees.

Keep your participation in conversation succinct. The length of your answers to questions will determine how many other people have a chance to contribute to the discussion.

People often feel compelled to put a statement of belief into the form of a question. Let the audience know that you want to hear what they have to say, even if it isn't a question.

You don't have to always answer hands in the order they go up. When an interesting point comes up stay on subject by asking the audience if they have more thoughts on the issue.

Encourage audience members to talk among themselves. For example, when a particularly good question comes up, try having the audience answer it. This approach involves everyone in the thought process behind the answer.

Be comfortable admitting if you have an ethical concern about an issue, are uncertain about a question, or have not thought of a point before.

A sure sign of an engaging science café? Audience members start interrupting you!

Moving Beyond Q&A

The unique café format offers many benefits to presenters.

Educate the public about the scientific research you are involved in.

Enjoy thought-provoking discussion in a casual venue. Find out what public reaction is to your research.

Share your enthusiasm for science. Represent your institution and help achieve its outreach goals.

Practice your communication skills in a relaxed setting.

Why Present?

We welcome being contacted by you as a prospective presenter.

Café events are organised around a particular topic. Before contacting the café organizer, frame your proposed presentation so that it makes a good discussion topic. If it seems like a good fit, the organizer will work with you to finalize the topic and promotional text for the café meeting. At the Medway Café we are happy to consider any science, engineering or technology topic.

Cafés run on an extremely small budget. Do not expect an honorarium for your presentation.

How to get involved

There is no way to research every aspect of a topic that may arise at a science café. Still, there are some ways you can prepare for the event.

Go to a café meeting beforehand and note what worked well and what didn't.

Introduce your topic with a clear, straightforward story that includes personal details. If you are personally involved in the presentation, the audience will be too.

If you practice your presentation beforehand, don't do it alone at your desk. Science cafés are social events, so try bringing up the topic with people unfamiliar with your work and see which points make for interesting conversation.

Come prepared with questions for the audience. This will help you approach the café as an opportunity to hear public reaction to your work.

Use plain language. There is no need to "dumb down" your presentation, but you will want to avoid jargon and technical expressions.

Most important is to go with the flow of the evening, relax, be yourself, and have fun.

You are free to use any media to aid in your presentation.

Practical demonstrations are also welcome, so long as they are safe and have prior approval from the organisers.

Presentation Preparation

Cafés emphasise audience participation in the discussion of a topic. Anyone who values the give and take of conversation will enjoy presenting at a science café.

If you're wondering whether the format will suit you, contact a café organiser to discuss the café's audience and expectations. Ask what the goals are for the evening beyond the obvious learning opportunity for the audience.

For example, many cafés consider an energetic, all-inclusive dialogue to be more important than a comprehensive overview of a topic.

Café Scientifique