What are you thoughts about my PhD advisor criticizing the sound of my voice during an online (teams) research presentation?

[saraConnor]

Recently, I gave my first research talk covering 7 different experiments that were all related. I created a visually pleasing presentation along with an interesting and informative dialogue. When I have to give a talk, I typically write a script that I use to practice and then have notes during the talk as a safety blanket. Since we are doing everything online, I used my hands a lot while I was talking (kind of like a conductor) to make sure to not sound too flat. Many of the findings in the talk were redundant, because the overall pattern of results were the same for all 7 experiments. Anyways, several grads and some professors reached out afterwards telling me that I gave a nice talk and the talk itself spurred on some discussion (which usually doesn't happen in brownbag). 

During lab meeting the week after my talk, my advisor spent most of the time talking about how my voice sounded during the talk. That it wasn't good enough, that I didn't excite the audience members, and just on and on about my voice. I find this entirely inappropriate feedback and simply not important - I'm not an actor/performer. Is this inappropriate feedback or is this what I should expect from an advisor? 

[PsyDuck90]

While it seems like they may have gone about it the wrong way, feedback on presentation performance is appropriate. I've had faculty mentors provide my feedback on conference presentations and practice rounds because it is important to be able to effectively communicate your findings to others. It is a skill, just like any other, and feedback can allow for improvement. 

[saraConnor]

Yes, I completely agree that feedback is important! @PsyDuck90 It was clear based on the other graduate students and faculty that I did effectively communicate my findings and several told me that I gave a great talk. My advisor spent less than two sentences on this point, and went on and on about how my voice sounded when presenting. Her criticism wasn't about improving my talk, it was about how my voice sounded to her -- which I find ironic because she has a nasally voice and doesn't enunciate her words very well. I do not see how criticizing the sound of my voice has anything to do with explaining my research (which I clearly was able to do given the positive feedback from others). 

Edited April 29, 2021 by saraConnor

[PsyDuck90]

Oh yikes. Yeah, I misunderstood. I've gotten feedback on things like being mindful of space-filler sounds like "ummm" and "like," not being so expressive with my hands because it actually comes across as more distracting, or putting more confidence in my voice. Talking about the specific sound of your voice is absurd since...you can't change that. Yeah, that's inappropriate. 

[saraConnor]

Thanks for the follow up @PsyDuck90. Yeah, that's what I thought. And apart of me started thinking, "am I just getting offended," but the more I think about this it just feels like criticizing my personality. I also know that while I was presenting I was being mindful of trying to speak more "excited" (hence using the hand gestures like a conductor would) because she's made this comments before - that my voice sounds flat and unexcited. Apart of me wanted to lash out and say, "you sound like you have a frog in your throat!" Of course I would never do this, but I think you get my point. I get feedback like this from this person often, and it's starting to really wear on me - not really sure what to do about it. 

[CAVALE]

I think it is completely inappropriate.  That being said, I highly recommend taking a public speaking or acting class; be sure to research the instructor first to see if their teaching style is a good match for you, and make choices that excite you and give you a positive experience.  Fuck that professor.  Make it a win.  The next step is difficult; I would recommend taking no action until all grades are in.  If you depend on this person for letters of recommendation, etc. consider just focusing on the positive for now and imagine that any criticism is well-intended.  Keep it civil and focus on your personal definition of excellence. I am of the school that academia should build people up and not tear them down; clearly this professor has failed here.  Do you have a department advisor?  I recommend going to them first.  You've got this.  Best of luck.  (PS from what you've shared isn't it possible that she was projecting?  I'm sorry you are experiencing this.)

[saraConnor]

Thanks for the comment @CAVALE. Acting class sounds interesting! Maybe something fun for the future. After some time has passed, I definitely think this comment is a product of this particular person and/or the fact that we present via Teams and everyone has their cameras turned off. The remark was made by my phd advisor and they have a reputation for making these kind of remarks to faculty and students. They literally told a fellow graduate student that they were boring. I also know they have gotten in trouble with another faculty member in the past (official reasons undisclosed). Unfortunately, I was not told any of this until after I accepted and started the program (after I accepted the offer their only 2 other grads dropped out without finishing their MS). Anyways, taking no action until evaluations are finalized is a good idea. I'm also hoping to pivot my research to work with other faculty (this has been working in my favor). A part of me wants to report this person because of their reputation for doing these things. But another part of me is just like, "keep cool and work with someone else" and avoid any form of backlash. Ugh. Anyways, thanks again for taking the time to comment and provide support.