How Comedy Transforms Conferences (and Makes Every Speaker More Engaging)

I’m always blown away by those who blend stand-up comedy techniques into a talk in front of their peers.

Science Comedy Participants at the 2025 AuScope Conference

A few months ago, AuScope reached out.

They wanted me to train some of their upcoming conference speakers in the Science Comedy Program.

These weren’t performers.

They were researchers in the early to mid-phase of their career.

These are people who spend their days dealing with precision, data, and some truly complex science.

Not exactly the stereotype of “natural comedian.”

And over several months, these six extraordinary people put in a tonne of work - practising, experimenting, rewriting.

Through this time they grew and sharpened their public speaking skills.

So What Happened At The AuScope Conference?

The scientists in the Science Comedy Program absolutely crushed it.

We’re talking six genuinely entertaining, insightful, high-impact, science-meets-comedy talks that had the room buzzing.

Audience members were leaning in. Laughing. A lot.

People were engaged in a way that most organisers would give up their entire coffee cart to replicate.

It was a definite highlight of the 2-day event.

Why? Because laughter (when used well) is rocket fuel for connection.

Why Laughter Works (The Psychology Bit No One Talks About)

Most conferences rely on slides, speakers, and caffeine. A lot of caffeine.

But the ones people rave about?

They tap into something far more human.

Here’s the psychology of why laughter transforms a room:

• When there’s laughter, confidence rises.
People relax. Speakers loosen up. The room becomes warmer and more receptive.

• When people feel connected, ideas flow more freely.
They ask questions. They discuss. They lean in rather than switch off.

• When the social part clicks, the professional part thrives.
Suddenly, networking isn’t a chore. It’s easy. Natural. Fun.

Networking continued for more than three hours after the science comedy show.

The best conferences include fun and laughter because this makes the entire event dramatically more effective.

Want Your Conference to Be the One People Talk About?

It’s easier than you think.

Give people a moment where they get to laugh together.

That one moment can lift the entire event.

And that’s what I specialise in.

I bring deep experience in this area, so you can be confident the session will land beautifully and the event will run smoothly.

Comedy-infused sessions can transform your conference, offsite, or team gathering from “alright” to “awesome” - the kind of event colleagues, peers, and clients talk about for months afterward.

If you’d like help designing that moment, well…

That’s exactly what I do.

Let’s chat.

I can support as a consultant or take a more hands-on role so your team is free to focus on everything else.