27. Connecting Through Comedy: David Crisante on how to use humour to build key relationships and make your research approachable.

View the full show notes, including a summary of practical tips on the Amplifying Research website: https://www.amplifyingresearch.com/podcast/27-david-crisante 

 

Apply for David’s Science Comedy Program

Looking to build stronger research partnerships and make your work more accessible? Science comedy expert David Crisante shares how strategic humour can help you connect with stakeholders, improve team dynamics, and boost your impact.

David brings a unique perspective to research communication, combining his experience as director of both Future Science Talks and the Sydney Comedy School. His groundbreaking Science Comedy Program has helped over 200 researchers from across Australia master storytelling techniques and develop their public speaking skills through comedy.

Through this pioneering program, researchers have gone on to feature in major arts festivals across Australia, transforming the way they communicate their work to diverse audiences. David's approach draws on his extensive career experience as a journalist, diplomat, and crisis response specialist, including time as a speechwriter for Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

"When we talk about humor, we actually want to make that person feel stimulated, excited, like they're finding a new connection... because that then can lead to a whole bunch of other doors opening." – David Crisante

This episode is essential listening for any researcher looking to make their work more approachable and build stronger professional relationships. Whether you're preparing for a conference presentation, trying to improve team dynamics, or looking to engage better with stakeholders, David offers practical techniques you can start using today.

 

Our conversation covers:

• Why comedy skills are valuable for researchers and science communicators

• The role of humor in building authentic connections and partnerships

• Using comedy techniques to improve public speaking and presentations

• How to modulate status effectively in professional settings

• Strategies for making your research more relatable and engaging

• Techniques for fostering positive team dynamics through humor

• The importance of preparation and practice in public speaking

• How to adapt humor for different cultural contexts

• Tips for finding your authentic comedic voice

• Building confidence through comedy training

• Using humor to make complex research more accessible

• Balancing professionalism with personality

 

Find David online:

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidcrisante

• https://www.davidcrisante.com

• https://www.futuresciencetalks.com.au