Upscale Academy Session – Pitching Day: Mastering the art of the research elevator pitch
Date: 27 November 2025
Format: Online Session
Facilitators: Leticia Martinez Garcia (ULB) & Sofia Gyori (ULB)
Participating Citizen Science Sub-Projects:
Blue-Green Tops · ENERPOV-CRE · Acqua Sorgente · CoRe-ACTS · Future is Climate
Session Overview
This Upscale Academy session focused on one core skill every research team needs: delivering a clear, compelling, and memorable elevator pitch. Participants explored how to communicate their work concisely—capturing attention, sparking curiosity, and opening doors to new collaborations.
Through a mix of guidance and hands-on practice, the session equipped the ScienceUs teams with a structured approach and practical tools to present their initiatives confidently across diverse professional settings. This competency is crucial for engaging stakeholders as the projects progress through the FLOURISH and HARVEST frameworks.
Key Topics Covered
Understanding the four pillars of an effective research pitch: Problem → Solution → Benefit → Call to Action
Using accessible, jargon-free language to reach broader audiences
Techniques for confident delivery: body language, eye contact, pace, and vocal clarity
Practical tips on scripting, timing, memorization, and iterative refinement through feedback
Highlights & Insights
A standout activity of the workshop was the 4-section worksheet: a single sheet divided into the core elements of a pitch—What problem are you solving? What is your solution? Who benefits? What is your call to action?
This visual tool helped each team distill complex research narratives into a concise, compelling story.
Participants then moved into active creation: brainstorming ideas, drafting their initial pitch versions, and presenting them in small groups. Immediate peer feedback proved invaluable, helping teams identify strengths, gaps, and opportunities for sharpening their message.
One of the most discussed challenges was choosing which part of the research to spotlight. Mentors encouraged participants to lead with the “so what?”—the element that makes the project’s impact instantly clear and memorable.
Tools, Methods & Resources Shared
The 4-Pillar Pitch Template (Problem, Solution, Benefit, Call to Action)
Examples of effective Calls to Action—for funding, partnerships, co-design, or testing
The 4-7-8 breathing technique for calming the nervous system before presentations
What’s Next?
With their first drafts completed, the teams will continue refining their pitches ahead of the next Pitching Day on 4 December 2025. That follow-up session will provide another round of practice and feedback, helping participants finalize their 60-second pitch before the ScienceUs Kick-Off Meeting in Brussels, where they will present their polished pitches in person to a wider audience.
“Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Research Executive Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.”