What do you need them talking about after your talk?
I help scientists, engineers, and subject matter experts use storytelling structures to shape audiences’ conversations and influence decision-makers.
Speak
Coaching for a specific talk or a reusable presentation, panel design that gets audiences talking, and keynote, moderator or emcee roles on your stage.
Train
Workshops that turn R&D into talks that get audiences buzzing, from small cohorts of experts to all-staff business presentations and executive training.
Write & Advise
Audience-conscious writing and editing for scientific and technical content, plus strategic advice on using storytelling and science communication to influence decision-makers.
Services
Presentation & Speaker Development
Individual coaching for a specific talk or a general, reusable presentation. Example venues: keynote, conference, thesis defense, job talk.
Working first as your story editor, then as your coach, I help you build a talk that lands and delivers on its purpose. Together, we develop your narrative arc and refine your slides for content and clarity, then run practice sessions covering delivery, flow and timing, with feedback between each. You leave with a talk that is both well-built and well-performed.
Panel Design & Preparation
Structured preparation for panel discussions that get audiences talking.
A good panel is choreographed, not assembled. I work with organizers and panelists to set speaking order, frame moderator questions, structure the Q&A for maximum audience engagement and, if needed, prepare individual panelists for the discussion.
Keynote Speaking, Panel Moderation & Event Hosting
Presentations and stage roles on storytelling strategy and the public benefit of science.
I am available to practice what I preach on your stage, as a keynote speaker on storytelling or science communication, as a moderator for panels and discussions, or as an event host. I draw on years of experience across academia, industry, public policy discussions and “TED”-style events, bringing audiences-first thinking to your engagement.
Workshops
Storytelling for Experts: turning R&D into talks that get audiences buzzing. Up to 12 participants, 12 hours across 2–3 days. Each participant delivers a 5-minute talk three times, with guidance on jargon awareness, narrative structure and slide design.
Business Presentations: hands-on practice for real-world business talks. An all-staff 3-hour interactive workshop, followed by a 4-hour clinic for each group of five, for 5–15 minute talks.
Storied Presentations for Executives: storytelling training built for leadership schedules. Up to 12 seats, 12 hours of class time over 2–3 consecutive days or 3–6 non-consecutive days, plus a 1-hour one-on-one within one month of class completion. In-person preferred; virtual participation available.
Customized workshop structures are available based on your needs.
Writing & Editing
Audience-conscious writing and editing for scientific and technical content.
Specialized idea translation to turn scientific and engineering concepts into audience-engaging thought leadership, research proposals and marketing content. Services include polishing proposals for clarity and single-author voice, copyediting technical content, house style guide creation and maintenance, and reviewing relevant literature to inform content accuracy. I have particular experience in biomedical and pharmacological, climate and environment, and science policy topics.
Advisory
Applying storytelling and science communication principles to strategy, including legal, marketing, policy, education and business.
I advise organizations and individuals on strategy, typically applying science communication, engagement and storytelling practice. Examples include advising legal teams on communicating science, retainer-based storytelling coaching and institutional curriculum design. This work sits outside standard presentation development or workshops and focuses on how to influence decision-makers.
About
I teach storytelling to scientists, engineers and other subject matter experts, and I love helping people find the story they have been wanting to tell and tune it for their audience. With over 20 years of experience, I have developed stories, trained speakers and led workshops for universities, nonprofit and government organizations, and R&D-intensive companies.
My storytelling and sales presentation workshops have served clients including the Consortium for Science, Policy & Outcomes at Arizona State University, the George Washington University, the National Academy of Sciences, Purdue University, the University of Florida College of the Arts, and Virginia Tech. As a technical content messaging consultant, I have worked with both subject matter experts and marketing teams in cyber, environmental technologies, and pharmaceuticals. The speakers I have helped range from start-ups seeking funding to C-suite executives presenting at industry conferences, and professionals from institutions including NASA, NIH, NOAA, and the Smithsonian.
My role bridging the worlds of research and storytelling comes from equal parts love of literature (especially Shakespeare!) and long working hours in research labs. I hold a Ph.D. in analytical chemistry from Arizona State University, building on an Hon.B.Sc. in planetary science from the University of Toronto, and have postdoctoral research experience in nanotechnology and chemistry education. DJG Communications LLC is based in Charlottesville, Virginia.
