We teach doctoral students how to communicate their science, and give lectures on the physics of cells. All our teaching materials are released under a Creative Commons license, so you are free to use, adapt and share them.
PhD course: BIO-707
From data to paper: science communication to peers
What the course is about
Good research can get lost behind unclear figures and a confusing story. BIO-707 trains doctoral students to turn their own data into clear, rigorous and publishable outputs, with methods they can reuse for every paper, talk and poster: selecting evidence, structuring information, communicating uncertainty and revising their work.
How it works
The course is almost lecture-free: less than 20% of the time goes to presentations. Participants bring their own research material, and every activity follows the same cycle of production, feedback and revision, through paper analysis, self- and peer assessment, small-group work and role-play.
Course structure
1. From data to figures. Selecting evidence, designing clear figures and spotting weak or misleading representations, with the basics of statistics, reporting, open science and data transparency.
2. From figures to a scientific argument. Identifying the main contribution, organizing results into a coherent narrative, separating evidence from interpretation and communicating limitations.
3. From an argument to a poster. Using poster design to test and communicate the scientific story, ending with a poster session where each participant presents their work.
Practical information
Course supported by the EDBB PhD program and funded by the teaching development fund at EPFL
Format: three half-day sessions and a final poster session. For doctoral students who are currently producing or analyzing data and have figures or preliminary results to work on. No prior course is required.
Next edition: Wednesdays 7, 14 and 21 October 2026, 14:15–18:00, at EPFL, with the poster session on 28 October. We have 1 or 2 sessions per year
Places: 16
Credits: 1 ECTS (EDBB doctoral program)
Teachers: Juan Manuel García-Arcos and Anoek Friskes
Lectures
Percolation
An introduction to percolation theory: how random, local connections suddenly add up to connectivity across a whole system, and why this idea is useful for thinking about biological networks.
Materials will be uploaded soon. In the meantime, contact us and we will be happy to share them.
Membrane mechanics
The physics of the cell boundary: tension, bending and flow, and how cells use these properties to change shape and respond to forces.
Materials will be uploaded soon. In the meantime, contact us and we will be happy to share them.
High school workshops and outreach
Coming soon: workshops for high school students and other teaching activities. Contact us if you would like to know more.