A recently published study explored academics’ attempts at humour during research conferences. The study—based on 531 talks at 14 biology conferences—found that 58% of all talks included at least one attempt at humour. However, 66% of attempts were determined to have low effectiveness as they were met with reactions such as “polite chuckles.” The study authors noted that the mild reactions may have stemmed from the social dynamics and environment of conferences, as well as the fact that many jokes were made during glitches or technical issues. The study authors noted that humour is a skill worth developing for scientists, as well-delivered humour “can turn a forgettable talk into one people actually remember—and perhaps even enjoy.”
