Oxford Communication Skills
When something matters to you, there's no greater thrill than sharing it with others.
I'm Jase, and for me that means helping others to become more skilled and confident communicators, so that they can make an impact with their passions, knowledge, and expertise.
The words we use are only ever as powerful as the stories we use them to tell. My narrative training approach helps you to understand how communication skills fit with the story of who you are, and make the most of the strengths you already have, so that you can achieve that electric connection with your audience.
Whether you're an individual in search of coaching and mentoring, or a group looking for bespoke training, I can help you refine your message and hone your delivery so you can communicate with clarity and confidence. Read on to find out more about what I offer, or get in touch to discuss your needs.
"What's your approach?"
Everyone brings different things to the table when it comes to communicating: confidence, style, strengths — all are unique to each person. I passionately believe that anyone can grow and enhance their innate communication skills, and I specialise in getting to know you, understanding your needs, and helping you to become the best speaker you can be.
"How can I get better at public speaking?"
Public speaking is a skill — or rather, a collection of skills. Just like other skills, they can be learned, practised, and refined. And like any skill, the best way to improve is with personalised feedback from someone who's had lots of experience.
You might feel that public speaking is harder than most skills to learn, but remember: there are probably things that you do every day, without even realising, that another person would be just as in awe of. With the right help, you can be good at this!
"What makes a good presentation?"
There are so many aspects of effective communication; a clear message, effective speaking, impactful body language or visual aids. But each situation will require a unique combination of these, and the goal of my training is to give you the tools you need to identify what's expected of you, and to meet those expectations with confidence.
"How can I be less nervous?"
The million-dollar question! As your skills and experience grow, nerves will dominate less. But even the most seasoned performer will still feel nerves on 'the day'. The secret is to not focus on eliminating nerves — that's impossible. It's to balance out your perspective so that you also see your strengths and capabilities more clearly, as well as what you want to achieve and why it's important to you. It's not about getting rid of nerves and replacing them with something else, it's about acknowledging that you can do what you want to, even while those more difficult feelings are still present.
About me
After earning my Master's in Engineering at the University of Cambridge, my story started in engineering consultancy and research in Cambridge and Oxford, where I communicated with clients and collaborators all over the world. After moving to Oxfordshire, I discovered the world of science communication, and with it my love of sharing ideas through the spoken word. Coming runner-up in the national final of the FameLab science communication competition gave me the confidence to take on new challenges, and since then I've provided training and mentoring to subsequent generations of science communicators, as well as hosting and performing at a range of public STEM engagement events. Of all the things I've learned during this time, the most enduring lesson is that the confidence to wield a skill matters as much as the skill itself.
Bespoke training and mentoring
The goal of my training and mentoring is not to turn you into a different kind of communicator; it's about helping you to recognise and build on your existing skills and unique personality, to help you be the best communicator you can be. Whether you're in academia, industry, education, or any other sector, becoming more competent and comfortable speaking to others is always worth investing in.
Once we've discussed your needs, I'll put together a personalised package covering areas such as:
- Identifying and distilling your message into its clearest form with the greatest impact
- Use of analogy, storytelling, and rhetorical devices
- Oracy skills: vocal intonation, timing, and diction
- Body language and stage presence
- Use of props and visual aids
- Handling questions
- Confidence, dealing with nerves, and preparing for issues (difficult audiences, losing train of thought)
- Engaging and managing audiences
I can help you develop your communication skills for a wide range of contexts, including:
- Public STEM performances
- Conference presentations or lectures
- Planning, writing, and delivering your own training sessions or online courses
- Interviews or PhD vivas
- Business meetings or presentations
- CPD for public outreach
Contact me to get the conversation started.
Testimonials
"His energy and passion for science communication is indisputable...his talks and training have demonstrated influence from educational pedagogy, how people learn, engage, and connect to a speaker, and has enabled him to identify differences between individuals, making him a more flexible and sensitive trainer... His experience as both a competitor and judge [in FameLab] provides him with additional perspectives that add further dimensionality to his training... I have seen his science communication skills expand and diversify, making him an able performer, constructive judge, and considerate chair, but most relevantly, an inspiring trainer; we are already planning to work with him again in the future."
— Dr Rowena Fletcher-Wood, freelance science communicator and Programme Delivery Officer at Science Oxford
"He had lots of helpful tips, especially regarding delivery of a talk including body language and diction. He is able to understand talks in scientific disciplines that are not his speciality with ease, and make useful suggestions. Although a scientist himself, he is adept at also viewing a talk from the public's perspective which is very helpful if that's your target audience. I would definitely recommend him — he will not fail to provide valuable feedback!"
— Dr Katerina Johnson, DPhil at University of Oxford and TEDx speaker