Communicating STEM Research Clearly
Academic Writing, Scientific Discourse and Presentation Skills
Workshop Overview
This workshop is designed to help you write clearer STEM abstracts and research arguments using effective rhetorical organization. You will learn to use technical vocabulary and disciplinary language with greater clarity, precision, and readability. It also covers communicating research findings, limitations, and implications appropriately, presenting complex research ideas clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences, and improving conference presentation and visual communication choices for STEM research.
Target Audience: Designed for undergraduate and postgraduate STEM students, early-career academics, research assistants and professionals.
Event Details & Registration
Time: Two-hour session. 7.00 - 9.00 PM.
Mode: Online via Zoom (Link will be provided to registered participants).
Organized by: Department of Languages, Faculty of Engineering, University of Moratuwa.
Resource Persons
W.M.P.Y.B. (Prasanna) Rathnayake
Senior Lecturer Grade I and Head, Department of Languages, Faculty of Engineering, University of Moratuwa
He holds a BA (Languages) (Special), MA in Linguistics, Master of TESL and MPhil in Linguistics, with an academic background in language, linguistics and English language teaching.
Ashmini Karunarathne
Lecturer (Probationary), Department of Languages, Faculty of Engineering, University of Moratuwa
Coordinator of the ESP (Engineering) programmes for the Faculty of Engineering. She holds a BEd (Hons) with First Class, MA in Linguistics and Reading for MPhil, and holds a Graduate Diploma in IT (UK Level 7).
Key Points to Include
- Write clearer STEM abstracts and research arguments using effective rhetorical organization.
- Use technical vocabulary and disciplinary language with greater clarity, precision and readability.
- Communicate research findings, limitations and implications appropriately.
- Present complex research ideas clearly to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.
- Improve conference presentation and visual communication choices for STEM research.
- Take part in a guided abstract-revision activity, live presentation critique and Q&A.
Suggested 2-hour Workshop Focus
Clear STEM research writing
0:00–0:35
Abstracts, research arguments, rhetorical moves, clarity and disciplinary language.
Communicating research to an audience
0:35–1:15
Explaining technical concepts, presentation structure, readability and visual communication.
Guided practice
1:15–2:00
Live abstract revision, presentation critique, participant questions and practical takeaways.