Presenting at an academic conference is an essential part of a researcher’s life. Whether or not you are an expert on the subject matter, you must cultivate your oratory skills and the ability to engage an audience. Some common mistakes made on this front include using a font not legible to the audience at the back of the room, using visual aids you are unfamiliar with, being unstructured and disorganized with your presentation, exceeding the time allotted for speaking, looking continuously at the microphone or at your reference notes, skipping practice sessions, ending abruptly, or panicking if you don’t know the answer to a question.

This article takes stock of the various aspects that can impact the quality of your presentation at an academic conference.