HOW to ASK GOOD QUESTIONS at ACADEMIC CONFERENCES and SEMINAR PRESENTATIONS (PhD Candidate)

[@JacquelineBeaulieu]

I should mention- this video was inspired by my participation in the dissertation/thesis groups of Professors Ruth Hayhoe, Elizabeth Buckner, and Ruth Childs. I am the co-coordinator of Professor Hayhoe and Buckner's dissertation/thesis group. I highly recommend joining such a group or creating one if one isn't already available. Now, I turn it over to you- what tips do you have re: asking great questions?

[@JacquelineBeaulieu]

Also, would anyone be interested in a Part 2 video where I give example of questions that I commonly find myself asking in academic settings! If so, please like this comment or reply to let me know 😊

[@ceciliasorbellini9782]

@@JacquelineBeaulieu please do!

[@elinewijns5408]

@@JacquelineBeaulieu Hi Jacqueline! I was wondering if you would still like to share some examples of great questions to ask? I'll be a discussant at my first conference next week and would love to learn more on the topic! As it's quite intimidating to discuss and critique papers of way more senior researchers, I think that asking great questions could be a good first step in creating useful debates and insights for the authors. Thank you for the really helpful content! - Eline

[@nathanmcmullen5557]

Thanks for that wonderful advice Jacqueline! Totally agree that asking questions empathetically is always the most productive, and takes pressure off the one asking (I definitely get super nervous). I’ve found some of the best questions in science & engineering seminars focus on assumptions made in experimental design & implications for future work so your advice on note taking structure is well taken!

[@veronicahislop9544]

Some great tips! I read up on the article you mentioned in the video as well. A great resource and gave me some ideas. I like the idea of reminding yourself that the questions aren't for you but the speaker and changing the perspective can help ease some confidence problems when asking.

[@JacquelineBeaulieu]

We are all on the same team- it's all about helping each other to do our best work in a supportive way. Glad you found the video helpful!

[@BhanudaySharma506]

it was a very helpful video. Its really nice to watch someone with this great communication skills.

[@JacquelineBeaulieu]

I'm so glad you found it helpful. Thank you for such a lovely compliment as well. I hope you'll find the forthcoming videos just as useful- thanks for watching! Hope you are having a great start to the academic year.

[@CareerConversations]

Super interesting! Really great mindser about being on the same team! What would you say to people who hate asking questions a lot? What, in your opinion, is the value of asking questions?

[@JacquelineBeaulieu]

Great question and thanks for reaching out! My initial thoughts are that questions should be purposeful- ask questions that might help the presenter(s) with continuing to undertake their research or work, help yourself and the audience to better understand something that is being discussed, help the group engage in deeper conversation on a topic (e.g., further exploring the implications of the research/work). I think when you are in a mindset where asking questions is a means of supporting the presenter(s) and the group's learning, it is easier to feel motivated to ask questions as they come to mind. If someone does not like asking questions, I would encourage them to think about why- perhaps public speaking makes them feel nervous, perhaps they are worried about being judged by peers and supervisors, etc (real or perceived). Shifting mindsets re: the goals of asking questions could help. Asking questions can really help to augment everyone's learning and experience during a presentation and further support the presenter(s) in their work.

[@RiskaHandayani-ow1jq]

Thank you Jacqueline, its very helpful video

[@JacquelineBeaulieu]

Glad you found the video to be a helpful one!

[@jenniferburton4545]

thanks for sharing. lovely to meet you.

[@JacquelineBeaulieu]

Jennifer Burton so glad to meet you the other day! And thanks for checking out the video. You should go for your channel 😊

[@adennoorowsomow8686]

Absolutely 💯

[@parabola689]

Ahh nice vid! 👍👍I especially like the part when you speaking about supporting the presenter :)

[@ajitmandal6988]

Truly this video is very helpful for me . I am going participate academic seminar tomorrow

[@startvshowuk3379]

I believe than this video is so cool for me ; I am going participate academic seminar today

[@richardr777]

Very helpful video. Thanks for sharing it with us.Blessings.

[@JacquelineBeaulieu]

I'm so glad you found it helpful, Richard. Thanks for tuning in!

[@auliapamasa8083]

thankyou for sharing. this is a very helpful video for me. thumbs up :>

[@ronnelfrancisco3543]

Wow, actually communicating is hard for me especially when they don't get what they want to know what you think 🤔

[@John-se5lh]

I’ll be PHD candidate by end of 2025 so it’ll be super helpful. Whoever see this kindly like this so I can come here again and again

[@hoantam2401]

Still no dislike :0000