Conference Presentations: Like a Good Wine Tasting

Over the years, I have attended more conference presentations than I can count — and given quite a few myself. Conferences can be energising spaces: you learn new things, see fresh perspectives, and sometimes even stumble on ideas that initiate amazing collaborations. But let’s be honest—not every presentation makes the most of that opportunity.

At a recent conference, a professor described conference presentations as wine tasting. 

I won’t claim the metaphor, but I will happily borrow it: in a conference session, you don’t drink the whole bottle — you get a small taste. Just enough to decide if you would like to explore further: read the paper in detail, ask a question, or maybe even start a collaboration. And, like wine tasting, some sips stay with you long after, while others you politely move on from.

So, what makes me want to “drink more” after a presentation?

Five things I like in conference presentations

A clear and intriguing opening. The best talks don’t waste time getting to the point. Within the first minute, I already know what the paper is about and why I should care. There is nothing more refreshing than a presenter who sets the stage so clearly that you feel grounded right away. It is like that first sip of wine that immediately tells you what is in your glass.

Slides that support, not replace, the speaker. Slides should be visual companions, not substitutes for the talk itself. When the speaker uses slides as prompts—with graphs, images, or a few keywords—it allows me to focus on them and their ideas. But when slides are filled with text, it is like being handed a page of tasting notes instead of the wine itself.

Connecting theory to the real world. I enjoy it when a presenter explains not just the technical details but also why the research matters in practice. When I hear how findings relate to people, communities, or policies, the presentation becomes more than data—it becomes a story. That is the kind of sip that lingers in memory, making you want to come back for a full glass.

Respect for time. The best presentations are like well-measured tastings—enough to enjoy, but not so much that it overwhelms you. Ending on time shows professionalism and respect for the audience and the other presenters and leaves space for discussion.

A confident close. I appreciate it when presenters conclude by highlighting the key takeaway: what they want us to remember. It is like the sommelier who gives you the name of the wine so you can recognise it again. A strong ending makes the research stay with you long after you’ve left the room.

Five things I don’t like in conference presentations

Slides crammed with text. When every single word the speaker says is also written on the slide or the cue notes, I am confused between reading and listening. Too often, I end up doing neither. It is the academic equivalent of pouring the entire bottle into one glass and handing it over—overwhelming and impossible to appreciate.

Running over time. Five or ten minutes extra might not sound like much, but in a packed conference program it can feel like a burden. It eats into the discussion, disrupts the schedule, and leaves everyone a little restless. [yes, I feel strong about that...] 

No eye contact. Presenters who read directly from notes or stare only at the slides (oftentimes with their back to the audience) miss the chance to connect. A glance around the room makes the audience feel included. Without it, the experience feels like being poured a drink by someone who never looks up at you—a transaction, not a connection.

Overly complex jargon. Every discipline has its language, but if a presentation is filled with terms or acronyms that only a few specialists can follow, then the chance to share ideas widely is lost. A tasting should allow people to sense the richness of the wine, not require a degree in chemistry to appreciate it.

Forgetting the “so what.” The most technically rigorous talk can still fail if the audience doesn’t leave knowing why it matters. If the takeaway isn’t clear, then the sip has no finish — it disappears instantly and is forgotten.

I will admit I have been guilty of a few of these myself. We all have. But with every conference, I pay closer attention to what makes some presentations memorable and others forgettable. And I bring those lessons back into my own talks and into the advice I give to students and mentees.

At the end of the day, a presentation isn’t about pouring out everything you know into fifteen minutes. It is about offering a taste—just enough to spark curiosity, invite discussion, and make people want to hear more.

So I will end with this: what makes you want to “drink more” after a presentation?

PS: AI was used for language editing.