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BTR Video Guidelines

Communicating Your Research to Non-Scientists

5-7
Minutes
10%
of BTR Grade
2GB
Max File Size
4
Key Elements

What Makes It Different

This is NOT a research presentation - learn the key differences

Required Content

Four essential elements your video must address

Technical Specs

Format requirements and file specifications

Presentation Tips

How to deliver your message effectively on camera

Copyright Rules

Critical information about using images, videos, and music

Submission Process

Two-step submission via SURFdrive and Collent

Peer Review

Mandatory review requirement - 1.0 penalty if skipped

Final Checklist

Everything to verify before submission

What Makes Your Video Different

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This is NOT a Research Presentation

Your BTR video is fundamentally different from academic presentations or your thesis defense. It's aimed at communicating your research to non-scientists, not experts in your field.

Don't Do This

  • Use complex, difficult-to-explain scientific terms
  • Assume audience has specialized knowledge
  • Focus primarily on technical methodology
  • Record your defense presentation and submit that

Do This Instead

  • Explain concepts in simple, accessible language
  • Use analogies and examples anyone can understand
  • Focus on why your research matters to society
  • Make it engaging and relatable

Your Target Audience

Think of your video as being watched by:

Family Members

Your parents or grandparents (unless they're scientists!)

High School Students

Someone interested in science but without specialist training

Policy Makers

People deciding on research funding priorities

Journalists

Writers covering scientific advances for the public

Your Goal:

Make them understand and care about your research, even without scientific background.

Required Content Elements

▼

Your video must address four key elements. Each is essential and will be assessed.

1. Scientific Importance

Key Question:

How does this work increase our knowledge of the world/universe?

What to Explain:

  • What gap in scientific understanding does it fill?
  • What didn't we know before that we know now (or will know)?
  • How does it fit into the bigger scientific picture?

Example Framing:

"Scientists have known X for years, but we didn't understand Y. My research helps us understand Y by..."

2. Societal Importance

Key Question:

What contribution does your work make to a better world?

Applied Research

  • Health improvements
  • Environmental benefits
  • Technological advances
  • Economic benefits

"Blue Sky" Research

  • Why this knowledge matters
  • Long-term benefits
  • Unexpected applications
  • Human understanding

3. Ethical Considerations

CRITICAL:

There is no piece of science free from ethical considerations. You MUST address this.

Common Ethical Areas:

  • Living Subjects: Animal welfare, human rights, consent, potential harm
  • Data Ethics: Privacy, anonymity, security, access, long-term management
  • Resource Allocation: Best use of funding, opportunity costs
  • Environmental Impact: Energy consumption, waste, materials, long-term effects
  • Dual-Use Concerns: Potential for misuse, responsibility in dissemination
  • Social Justice: Who benefits, who might be harmed, equity considerations

Never Say

"My research has no ethical considerations"

Always Say

"The key ethical considerations in my work are..."

4. Clear Structure & Storytelling

Opening Statement

  • Hook the audience immediately
  • State clearly what your research is about
  • Why should they care?

Middle (Main Content)

  • Logically organized sections
  • Clear transitions between ideas
  • Progressive building of understanding
  • Visual aids to support explanations

Conclusion

  • Summarize key takeaways
  • Reinforce why it matters
  • Leave audience with clear understanding

Technical Specifications

▼

Video Requirements

Specification Requirement
Duration 5-7 minutes (content beyond 7 minutes will not be graded)
File Size Maximum 2GB
Orientation Landscape mode recommended
Video Quality High definition recommended (1080p or higher is better)
Remember:

Grading focuses on content, not production values. We're looking for something that explains the thesis well, not something that looks amazing!

Quality Checklist

Video Quality

  • Video fills entire frame (no black bars)
  • Face in focus
  • Appropriate background
  • No shaking (use tripod)
  • Clean lens

Audio Quality

  • Clear voice
  • No background noise
  • Audio and video synchronized
  • Consistent volume
File Size Limit:

Videos may not be more than 2GB to avoid unnecessarily long download times (and because you will have to pay a fee to transfer it on some platforms!)

If Your File is Too Large:

  • Use video editing software to compress
  • Export at lower bitrate
  • Use H.264 codec for efficiency
  • Check for "web" or "online" export presets

Presentation & Delivery

▼

Your On-Camera Presence Matters

Professional Appearance

  • Dress appropriately but comfortably
  • Use solid colors (avoid checkered patterns)
  • Good posture - sit/stand straight
  • Face clearly visible
  • Look well-groomed and prepared

Engaging Delivery

  • Maintain high energy levels
  • Show enthusiasm for your work
  • Look into the camera (eye contact)
  • Appropriate facial expressions
  • Avoid appearing bored or robotic

Communication Style

The Golden Rules:
  • No jargon - explain everything in accessible terms
  • Use examples and analogies to illustrate complex points
  • Stick to the point - don't ramble or digress
  • Match tone to subject - consider appropriateness of humor
  • Pace yourself - not too fast, not too slow

Visual Elements

Important:

We want a video, not a PowerPoint presentation. At least at some point in the video we want to see you.

Using PowerPoint:

  • Acceptable: Using PowerPoint slides as part of your video
  • Not Acceptable: Entire video being only PowerPoint slides
  • Not Acceptable: Submitting PowerPoint file directly (must convert to video format)
Best Practice:

Mix of direct presentation (you speaking to camera) and visual aids (slides, images, diagrams). Consider picture-in-picture with you in a corner while showing visuals.

Converting PowerPoint to Video:

PowerPoint presentations can be converted into videos by saving your presentation as an MPEG-4 video (*.mp4). More information is available on the Microsoft website.

Submission Process

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Important Deadline

The deadline for submitting your video is a few days after the thesis deadline at 13:00. Late submissions may not be accepted!

Two-Step Submission Process

You must complete BOTH steps:

Upload to SURFdrive (Backup/Archive)

Link: https://surfdrive.surf.nl/files/index.php/s/WBdfOTCn6awXuWk

File Naming REQUIRED:

Format: StudentID_Lastname_BTR_Video.mp4

Example: i6259596_Jeurissen_BTR_Video.mp4

Why SURFdrive:
  • This backup is essential in case your WeTransfer link expires before grading
  • SURFdrive uploads are stored securely on university servers
  • Serves as permanent record

Submit WeTransfer Link via Collent

  1. Upload your video to WeTransfer (www.wetransfer.com)
  2. Also upload your Video Consent Form to WeTransfer
  3. Generate sharing link
  4. Submit the WeTransfer link in Collent
  5. Complete consent form directly in Collent
Remember:

WeTransfer links expire. This is why SURFdrive backup is essential. Submit well before deadline!

Grading & Assessment

▼

Who Grades Your Video?

1. Your Internal Advisor

MSP faculty member assigned to your BTR

  • Assesses content quality
  • Evaluates presentation
  • Uses grading rubric

2. A Peer from Your Cohort

Another BTR student

  • Fresh perspective
  • Non-scientist accessibility
  • Same grading rubric
Final Grade Calculation:

Each video submission is assessed by the student's Internal Advisor and by one of their peers. This dual evaluation ensures a comprehensive and fair assessment. The video grade = 10% of total BTR grade

Focus on Content:

The video will be graded on content, not on production values. We are looking for something that explains the thesis well, not something that looks amazing!

Peer Review Requirements

▼
MANDATORY - NOT OPTIONAL

In addition to having your video evaluated, each student is also required to conduct a peer review of another student's video. This reciprocal process is a key component of the learning experience.

Why Peer Review Matters

Educational Value

  • Learn from others' approaches
  • Develop evaluation skills
  • Understand effective communication
  • Practice giving feedback

Reciprocal Process

  • Someone reviews your video
  • You review someone else's
  • Fair system for all
  • Everyone gets peer feedback

Timing & Process

STRONGLY RECOMMENDED:

We strongly recommend conducting the peer review on the same afternoon as the video submission deadline

Why Same Day?

  • Once the deadline has passed, and peer assignments have been made, reviewing the videos promptly ensures that the links are still active and valid
  • Completing your peer review on time marks the completion of your obligations for the BTR project
  • Avoids forgetting and penalties

Receive Assignment

After deadline, check Collent/email for your assigned video

Watch & Take Notes

Access video via WeTransfer link, watch carefully, use grading rubric

Complete Review Form

Submit detailed feedback in Collent by specified deadline

Providing Good Feedback

Do This

  • Be specific with examples
  • Be constructive and helpful
  • Be fair and consistent
  • Be respectful of effort

Don't Do This

  • Be overly harsh or personal
  • Give only vague comments
  • Skip sections of rubric
  • Rush through carelessly

Consequences of Non-Completion

SERIOUS PENALTY:

Failing to submit a peer review = 1.0 point deduction from YOUR video grade

This penalty is strict and non-negotiable:

Please be aware that failing to submit a peer review carries a significant penalty. There will be a deduction of 1.0 point from your video grade for non-compliance. This penalty underlines the importance we place on the peer review process.

Your grade will not be released until you complete peer review:

You will be asked to peer-review someone else's video before your requirements are considered fulfilled and your grade released. Please note that failing to grade the peer assigned to you will result in a 1.0-point penalty on your video, as you will be actively hindering the process.

Additional Considerations

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Subtitles (Optional)

Subtitles are Optional:

You should consider using subtitles. This is not absolutely necessary, and can be technically difficult, but can be helpful for certain people and to allow presentation of the video where use of sound would be inconvenient.

University Library Facilities

Professional Equipment Available:

There are facilities at the Maastricht University libraries that you can use to help with shooting your video. This includes professional recording equipment, lighting setups, and more.

Book in advance!

Final Submission Checklist

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Technical Quality

Landscape mode recommended
High definition quality
Duration: 5-7 minutes
File size: Under 2GB
Video fills entire frame (no black bars)
No shaking (used tripod or secure position)
Clear audio with no background noise
Audio and video perfectly synchronized

Required Content

Clear opening statement
Scientific importance explained in detail
Societal importance explained in detail
Ethical considerations discussed
Conclusion summarizes key points
No jargon or technical terms without explanation
Uses examples and analogies
Accessible to non-scientists

Presentation

You appear in video at some point
Professional appearance and good posture
Maintain high energy levels
Look into camera
Avoided checkered patterns in clothing

Copyright & Legal

All images are either your own or open source/licensed
All video clips are copyright-free
No copyrighted music used
Attribution provided where required

Submission

Watched entire video to check for issues
File named correctly: StudentID_Lastname_BTR_Video.mp4
Uploaded to SURFdrive backup folder
Uploaded to WeTransfer with consent form
Submitted WeTransfer link via Collent
Completed consent form in Collent
Received confirmation of submission
Set reminder for peer review (same day recommended!)

Resources & Tools

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Recommended Software

Video Editing

  • iMovie (Mac - free)
  • DaVinci Resolve (free)
  • OpenShot (free)
  • Shotcut (free)
  • Adobe Premiere Pro (paid)

Video Compression

  • HandBrake (free)
  • VLC Media Player
  • Online compression tools

Subtitle Creation

  • YouTube Auto-Captions
  • Subtitle Edit (free)
  • Amara (online)

UM Library Facilities

  • Professional recording equipment
  • Lighting setups
  • Green screen
  • Book in advance!

Tips for Success

  • Start planning early – good videos take time
  • Script your content – know what you'll say
  • Practice delivery – record practice versions
  • Get feedback – show draft to non-scientists
  • Test equipment – check audio/video quality first
  • Allow time for editing – rarely perfect on first take
  • Submit early – don't wait until deadline
  • Do peer review same day – avoid penalty

Science Communication Inspiration

YouTube Channels: (Don't copy style, learn from their approach)

  • Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell
  • Veritasium
  • SciShow
  • TED-Ed
  • Crash Course

Learn how they:

  • Explain complex topics simply
  • Use analogies and visual aids
  • Maintain engaging presentation style
  • Pace content appropriately
  • Make science exciting without dumbing it down