Women@DDc Online Workshop: How to convince in online meetings, conferences and (grant) interviews

*Workshop is fully booked – waitlist open

Note! Two half-day, consecutive online seminars! This workshop is designed for female scientists and science managers who want to strengthen their on-camera presence. Please note: This is a 2-part workshop taking place on two consecutive days, from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm each day. Registration is only possible if you are able to attend both sessions. 

Note on language: English

Trainer: Karin Gante

About the seminar:

In this practical, interactive online seminar, you will learn how to increase your presence and impact in virtual settings – including group meetings, job or grant interviews, review panels, and consortia meetings.

We will focus on how to communicate your message clearly and confidently, using a short presentation (e.g. interview or proposal pitch) as a central practice tool.

In addition, you will explore key techniques for building a convincing online presence:

• how to use your voice intentionally to create resonance and persuasiveness,
• how to optimize body language, camera setup, lighting, and background.

Throughout the session, you will receive actionable tips and exercises to help you appear more confident, competent, and authentic on camera.

Important note: Please prepare a short 2-3-minute presentation (for example, for an online job interview, grant, or proposal – either something you've already presented or something you're planning to give).

You’ll be invited to share it during the session for live practice and feedback, so have it ready to present via Zoom.

What to Expect: The seminar is divided into two compact modules:

Part 1: Confident Presence in Front of the Camera

• Identify and overcome technical challenges in video conferences: optimal positioning of your laptop and camera, effective use of lighting and background
• Body posture, eye contact, and on-camera presence 
• Recognize and avoid common self-presentation mistakes

Part 2: Speaking with Conviction

• Focus on confident argumentation: Present your points clearly, well-structured, and precisely
• Gain control over speech tempo, sentence length, and emphasis
• Reduce filler words and strengthen confident language

This workshop offer is free and open to members from the Women@DDc Network or those who would like to join the network. Places are limited to 8. Please register via LinkedIn registration or by email to by 14 October 2025, making sure you indicated a correct email address. Once the workshop is full, we will open a waitlist.

Trainer bio: Karin Gante is a speech therapist, actress, and has been self-employed since 1997 as a trainer, moderator, consultant and coach for professionals and executives. She works for the public sector, private companies, foundations, and universities, often focusing specifically on the topic “Confident Presence for Women in the Workplace.”

For more information on the network, visit www.tud.de/diversity/women-at-ddc