Workshops and Research Symposium

Developing transversal skills and learning to present research to a wider audience are essential for navigating a successful career.

Beyond the research internship, WISER offers a comprehensive learning experience through workshops on transversal skills and participation in the Research Symposium. The workshops help students develop essential professional and scientific competencies that complement their technical knowledge. Together, these components equip them with the confidence, skills, and network to support their future professional journeys.

Workshop on “Recognise, respond, reclaim: owning your voice in STEM”

Science and research thrive on people with diverse experiences, perspectives, and ways of thinking. However, not all students feel equally confident speaking up, sharing their ideas, or seeing themselves as future scientists.

This interactive workshop will help participants recognise their strengths, build confidence in navigating challenging situations, and learn how to support one another in STEM environments. Through practical activities and realistic scenarios, participants will explore how to communicate their ideas, contribute effectively to discussions, and respond constructively when faced with different perspectives, expectations, or communication styles.

Workshop on “Scientific communication”

The ability to communicate scientific ideas effectively is an essential skill for every researcher and a valuable asset in any professional career. Whether presenting research findings to specialists, collaborating with colleagues from different disciplines, or explaining complex concepts to a broader audience, clear and engaging communication plays a key role in creating impact.

The communication workshop will be tailored to the format of the presentation at the Research Symposium. Students giving an oral presentation will learn how to structure their message and communicate in a clear, memorable, and engaging way through effective storytelling techniques. Those presenting a research poster will receive practical guidance on designing visually compelling posters, organizing scientific content effectively, and capturing the attention of their audience.

Research Symposium

The WISER journey concludes with the Research Symposium, a celebration of the work accomplished throughout the summer. During this event, participants present their research projects alongside students from the Summer in the Lab and Laidlaw programs to an audience including EPFL community members, laboratory supervisors, donors, and the general public. 

Beyond providing an opportunity to communicate their research and reflect on their achievements, the Research Symposium encourages interdisciplinary exchange by allowing participants to discover projects from a wide range of scientific fields, connect and network with fellow student researchers, and build relationships across disciplines.