Today on Better Student Leaders, Josh sits down with Dr Hugh Gundlach, Lecturer in Education at the University of Melbourne and author of viral articles How to Avoid “Death by PowerPoint” and To Save In-Person Lectures, Unis Need to Provide Lessons Worth Showing Up For. Hugh’s research and experience bridge the gap between education, design, and human connection — revealing how simple changes in how we present, teach, and engage can transform the student experience. From neuroscience to storytelling, this episode is a must-listen for anyone who’s ever stood in front of a PowerPoint or a room of students.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why lectures still matter — and how to make them worth showing up for
• The biggest presentation mistake most people make (and how to fix it fast)
• What neuroscience says about attention, memory, and how to make learning stick
• How to turn any talk or training into a story people actually remember
• Why showing up, connecting, and taking handwritten notes still beats any app

💬 Impactful Lessons and Quotes 💬

“We have to be really familiar with the idea that people can have superior experiences by using technology.”

“Even if it’s bonding over how boring the lecture was, being there in person together is how you make friends.”

“PowerPoint slides are used as a cue for the presenter, not a thinking prompt for the students.”

“If you deliver content in a way that’s packaged in another vehicle, like a story, it makes it palatable - like taking medicine with a sugary drink.”

“You do a course not just for the content, but to meet other people who will be in your profession - and for the value of having good friends.”

Read more of Hugh’s work here:

To save in-person lectures, unis need to provide lessons worth showing up for, The Conversation