The Infernal Seminar: Practising Communication in the Most Unexpected Way

By Brenda Briones Miranda, PhD Candidate and ARMI Social Media Ambassador

At the Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute (ARMI), we take science seriously, but that doesn’t mean the process of learning it always has to be.

The Infernal Seminar is a student-led initiative designed to challenge the way we think about science communication. What happens when graduate students are asked to present someone else’s research, without preparation and with no idea what’s coming next? Chaos, laughter, and surprisingly, a lot of learning.

This peer-run format flips the typical seminar structure on its head. Students prepare anonymous slide decks for each other, often drawing on their own projects. On the day, each participant is handed a mystery presentation, walks to the front, and is asked to deliver it in real time. No prep, no notes, and often no idea what the research is about.

Sounds absurd? It is. And that’s exactly the point.

Even though we are all based at the same institute, our PhD projects are usually very different, not just in topic, but in the techniques we use. Some of us work with microscopes and live cells, others analyse large datasets or use high-tech instruments that most people have never heard of. So when you’re asked to present someone else’s work, you might be faced with a graph, an image, or an experimental setup you’ve never seen before. And somehow, all this chaos teaches us a lot.

As students at ARMI, we are immersed in a shared discipline, regenerative medicine, but our projects span vastly different areas. Some of us work at the molecular level, others with live imaging, stem cell modelling, or bioinformatics. This diversity means that when we are asked to present someone else’s work, we are often well outside our comfort zone.

In science you don’t need to be a “know-it-all”.  Scientists thrive on curiosity, critical thinking, and a willingness to learn. We don’t have all the answers, but we aim to ask good questions, test ideas, and make sense of the unexpected. This improvised format also gives the original presenter a chance to reflect on the clarity of their slides, how well do the visuals and data speak for themselves? 

And that is the point. The Infernal Seminar forces us to adapt, to listen, and to speak clearly under pressure, all within a supportive, student-only space.

“You walk in thinking it’s going to be terrifying, but everyone is cheering you on. It’s the most fun I’ve had giving a presentation.”

Ruize (Molly) Man

The environment is intentionally low-pressure and informal. Mistakes are not just accepted, they are expected and embraced. It’s a refreshing contrast to the high-stakes nature of conference presentations and formal reviews, and it offers students a safe space to build confidence without fear of judgment.

The ability to communicate research effectively is a core part of scientific practice, but it is rarely taught explicitly during a PhD. At ARMI, we recognise that preparing the next generation of researchers means going beyond technical training.

Initiatives like the Infernal Seminar are part of a broader effort within ARMI to build capacity in scientific communication, a priority embedded in our outreach and engagement strategy. From school programs and Science Gallery exhibitions to public lectures and media, ARMI has a long history of bringing science to new audiences. But that work starts internally, by empowering our early-career researchers to speak with clarity, confidence and purpose.

The Infernal Seminar pushes us out of our comfort zones in the most entertaining way possible. It builds confidence in public speaking, encourages improvisation skills, and helps us practise clear communication. Which, honestly, is what science communication is all about.

In a world where interdisciplinary collaboration and public trust are essential, we need researchers who can connect ideas across fields and explain their work to others, not just to peers, but to policymakers, funders, and the broader community. The Infernal Seminar is one playful way to foster those skills early on.

Beyond communication, the Infernal Seminar also offers something less tangible but equally important: connection. At a time when PhD study can feel isolating or competitive, this event brings students together through shared awkwardness, mutual encouragement, and plenty of snacks.

“It’s a reminder that we’re all learning, and that it’s okay to laugh at ourselves. That kind of atmosphere is rare in science.”

Ruize (Molly) Man

For students who feel nervous speaking in front of large audiences (which is very common), this is a fantastic low-pressure way to get started. It’s a students-only space, where mistakes aren’t just accepted, they’re expected, embraced, and usually hilarious. There’s no judgment here. Just laughter, support, and a chance to slowly build confidence without the spotlight of a formal presentation.

The response from students has been overwhelmingly positive, and we are already looking at ways to run more sessions, potentially extending the format to other research groups across campus.

Beyond the laughs, it also brings us together. In a world where research can be isolating and high-pressure, sharing awkward laughs over made-up data and ridiculous slides reminds us to have some fun sometimes. We eat snacks, cheer each other on, and turn what could be another regular seminar into a highlight of the month.

Because while science is serious work, learning how to talk about it, and support each other along the way, should also be part of the journey. At ARMI, we believe that progress in research comes not only from deep expertise, but from collaboration, communication, and the courage to try something new.

Science is serious work. But getting better at it? That can and should be fun.