Slides with Impact: Visualizing Scientific Content Effectively
A Doctorate plusBIGS workshop offered by the Bonn Graduate Center
Presentations are an essential part of academic life—and it’s rare to see one without
slides. Yet despite their importance, many PowerPoint decks are cluttered, unprofessional, or poorly coordinated with the speaker’s delivery. This compact, hands-on workshop uses best-practice examples (as well as a few “what-
not-to-do” cases) to teach you effective techniques for persuasive slide design.
Online Workshop
Tuesday, March 10, 2026
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Please register your interest in this workshop by September 10, 2025.
Trainer
Dr. Michael Gordian
Language
English
Location
Online
Target Group
Doctoral students from the Bonn International Graduate Schools (BIGS)
Track(s)
Research, Research Management
Certificate
4 units are applicable within the Doctorate plus certificate
Description
This compact, hands-on workshop uses best-practice examples (as well as a few “what-
not-to-do” cases) to teach you effective techniques for persuasive slide design. We’ll
compare different design styles and discuss the specific conventions found in various
scientific disciplines, each with its own implicit design rules.
In the second part of the workshop, we’ll review your own slides and help you raise them
to the next level. By the end, you’ll take away a practical “toolbox” of techniques and
strategies you can use to create clear, compelling, and professional slides that genuinely
support your presentations.
Content
- Do’s and don’ts of slide design – the essential basics
- Less is more: how much content belongs on a slide, and what really matters
- Foundations of visual communication
- Pyramid principle vs. funnel approach: structuring your content effectively
- Synchronising slides and speech: making visuals support your talk
- Tips for minimalist design: quick and easy techniques
Childcare
If you need childcare during the event, please contact the Family Office of the University of Bonn at least two weeks in advance.
Contact
Bonn Graduate Center
Address
Alte Sternwarte
Poppelsdorfer Allee 47
53115 Bonn
More Workshops?
Have a look at our Doctorate plus program this semester with plenty of other workshops open for all doctoral students.
Also see
Certificate Doctorate plus
Acquire the Doctorate plus Certificate in one of our three career tracks.
Good Scientific Practice
Learn more about scientific integrity and responsibility in research.
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