Communicating Science: Lessons That Last Beyond UC Davis
Graduate students from Japan gain confidence communicating their research in English through an international study program, building skills that continue to shape their careers years later.
For graduate students studying science and engineering in Japan, communicating research in English is an important skill for participating in international conferences and scientific discussions. Alumni of UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education’s English for Science and Engineering Grad Program describe how those skills continue to benefit their research and professional work years later.
“I wrote my doctoral dissertation in English and have been communicating with researchers in Europe about our research,” said a data scientist who participated in the English for Science and Engineering Grad Program in 2023. “I still make use of what I learned during the program, particularly the skills involved in creating PowerPoint presentations, in my current work.”
For 15 years, the program has welcomed graduate students from the University of Osaka and Chuo University, providing opportunities to develop English communication skills in an international academic setting.
Preparing to Present Research in English
Offered through UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education’s Access Programs, the three- to four-week program gives graduate students an opportunity to improve their public speaking and presentation skills, while also strengthening their English pronunciation and listening skills.
Using their own research projects from Japan, participants practice:
- Organizing and explaining research findings
- Creating clear slides to support research presentations
- Asking questions and participating in scientific discussions
- Applying instructor and peer feedback to presentations about their own research
Participants also discuss current topics in science, technology and engineering, expanding their technical vocabulary and exploring research beyond their own specialties. The program culminates in research presentations that simulate an international conference setting.
Yoshino Tanabe, an applied physics student from the University of Osaka, credits her participation in the 2026 program with helping her overcome her fear of speaking English. She also feels better prepared to give research presentations.
“I know what is important in a presentation,” she said. “I need to pay attention to the audience, the slides and how I behave during the presentation.”
Yoshino plans to apply those presentation skills in her research group in Japan and says the experience has increased her confidence to take on more international experiences.
“I am going on to a Ph.D. program and feel more confident about studying and working abroad in the future,” said Yoshino.
Exploring Research at UC Davis
Students also have opportunities to explore research and exchange ideas during visits to UC Davis labs. For Ayumu Kiba and Misaki Mashimo, these visits gave them new perspectives and allowed them to explore topics relevant to their own research.
“The visit provided an opportunity to learn about a wide range of applications of molecular dynamics,” said Ayumu, who visited a chemistry lab. “The introduction to the lattice dynamics software was also directly relevant to a challenge in my own research.”
Misaki’s visit to an agricultural robotics lab showed her how costs and practical challenges of implementing automation can shape research alongside technical considerations.
Skills and Perspectives That Last
The learning that began in UC Davis classrooms, labs and everyday conversations continues to shape how program alumni communicate, work and connect across cultures years later.
For one participant who now develops automotive software, a lasting takeaway from the program was greater ease communicating in English, a benefit they still experience more than a decade later.
“I became much more comfortable interacting with people from other countries and speaking English,” said the 2013 participant.
“Rather than simply overcoming my hesitation about English, the program helped turn that hesitation into confidence,” said another participant from 2019 who now works for a medical device manufacturer.
Learn More
For more information about the English for Science and Engineering Grad Program contact [email protected].
Since completing the program, alumni have published research in international journals, presented at international conferences and worked with colleagues overseas. Their experiences reflect how skills developed at UC Davis continue to support their professional growth.
“Experiencing the academic environment at a university overseas and communicating with people working internationally sparked my interest in diversity and helped me develop an interest in companies with a strong global presence,” said one participant from 2018 who conducts biomechanical research for a sports equipment manufacturer.
For others, the experience of living abroad and connecting with people from different cultures has had the greatest long-term impact.
“The program helped me become more accepting and understanding of different cultures,” said a 2014 participant who now works for an international automobile manufacturer. “I believe the program has been an important piece, even if only one of many, in shaping who I am today.”