Mastering Public Speaking and Presentations

Speaking in front of others is a core part of university life, but it can also be one of the most stressful. Mastering Public Speaking and Presentations shows you how to turn nerves into confidence and ideas into clear, convincing messages, whatever the setting. Whether you’re presenting in a seminar, pitching as part of group work, speaking online, or preparing for professional life, this book helps you feel in control when it matters most.

This practical guide breaks public speaking down into manageable, learnable skills. You’ll learn how to plan and structure talks that actually land with an audience, remember what you want to say without relying on a script, and use your voice, body language, and presence to keep people engaged. Step-by-step advice and hands-on exercises help you practise smarter, build confidence over time, and speak with authority, even under pressure.

Written with students in mind, the book supports undergraduate, postgraduate, and further education students across disciplines, especially those taking modules that involve presentations, seminars, or assessed oral work. It also helps you adapt your speaking style for different contexts, from academic discussions to professional, workplace, and even legal communication.

Part of the Student Success series, this book is designed to make your studies feel easier and more manageable. It gives you clear tools you can use straight away - helping you feel more confident, communicate more clearly, and make a stronger impression throughout your degree and beyond.

Dr Fatos Selita is a Barrister of England and Wales, a Psychologist and an Attorney and Counselor at Law of the State of New York. Fatos has multidisciplinary education, including a PhD in Psychology focusing on Genomics and Justice, a postgraduate degree in Professional Legal Studies, a bachelor’s degree in Law, the equivalent of a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, a bachelor’s degree in Military Studies. Fatos has also multidisciplinary practice, including working at law firms, barristers’ chambers and in several universities, including 10 years at the Goldsmiths University of London – teaching a diverse portfolio of subjects: Introduction to Psychology, Consciousness, Social Psychology, Psychology of Decision Making, Organisational Psychology, Persuasion, Principles of Communication, Public Speaking, Speech Writing, Fear of Public Speaking, Genetics and Law, Comparative Criminology, International Business Law, Ethics, Leadership and more. Fatos is co-author to Oedipus Rex in the Genomic Era: Human Behaviour, Law and Society, Palgrave Macmillan, 2021; and has several journal publications and book chapters. He is a Consultant at TechnoTruth, and has consulted and delivered executive training for many years, including to UK government departments and Judiciary, Diplomats and City Executives.  Yulia Kovas is Research Professor at Hult International Business School. She is also visiting Professor at King′s College London, where she collaborates with the Twins Early Development Study (TEDS; https://www.teds.ac.uk/) on research into the aetiology of individual differences. She is Visiting Professor at several international universities, including New York University. She is an interdisciplinary educator, teaching and delivering training in Psychology, Cognitive Sciences, Behavioral Genetics, Ethics, and Academic Skills, including writing and presenting. She directs InLab (https://technotruth.co.uk/inlab/) and is Consultant at TechnoTruth (technotruth.co.uk). Yulia served for many years as Chair of Psychology Ethics Committee and advised ethics committees at many international institutions. She served as Director of research for Psychology and is currently Chair of the Scientific Advisory Board of Max Planck Institute for Empirical Aesthetics. She is co-founder of The Accessible Genetics Consortium that aims to raise genetic literacy and promote beneficial use of genetic information. Yulia is Professor of Genetics and Psychology, and is research lead/advisor to many research projects and laboratories. She is an author of over 200 academic papers, chapters and books; and delivered hundreds of talks, workshops, presentations and seminars to diverse international audiences.