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1. What prompted you decide to participate in the "JSPS Science Dialogue" program?
I wanted to share my research with the students. By showing them how exciting a career in research is I hoped to be able to positively influence the students that have an interest in studying in this area. Also, I had been told by previous fellows that this program is really good fun, they were right.
2. To what did you give greatest attention in preparing and giving the lecture?
I paid greatest attention to making sure my content was easy to understand. I was aware that the students involved were very talented in the area of science but given the language barrier I focused on ensuring that the take home messages were as clear as possible.
3. Did you find it difficult to give a lecture in English to Japanese students? Could you give some advice to future lecturers on how to facilitate communication with Japanese students?
No it wasn't difficult at all. I simply followed the advice of my host researcher (Professor Tabata) and spoke slowly and clearly. Given that language (spoken and written) were the main barriers I made sure to include as many pictures as I could. I would recommend this approach, it worked well for me.
4. Could you give your impression with regard to participating in this program?
I think this is a great forum for conveying to young scientists just how fulfilling a career in science can be.
5. Was it meaningful in terms of your fellowship activities?
Yes, I think any format where you present your work is beneficial. It forces you to stand back and ensure that your line of investigation is logical.
6. In what ways do you think the students benefited from the program?
I'm sure that students benefit from having access to scientists who are active in their fields of research. Whilst lessons from text books and teachers are critical I think it can be quite motivating to see where the hard work can take you. I think the students also really enjoyed the opportunity to come and ask questions at the end of the talk. They not only got to find out more about science but also got to practice their English.
7. Could you give some overall advice or comments to future participants in the program?
As I mentioned before I think using as many pictures as possible to help illustrate your points is a fantastic technique. Also speaking slowly and clearly really makes a difference.
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