Success Story: Australian Cancer Research Foundation
From groundbreaking research to powerful advocacy, communication is the engine driving the Australian Cancer Research Foundation’s impact and keeping its team connected and resilient.
About the organisation
The Australian Cancer Research Foundation (ACRF) is a national charity that raises funds to support world-class cancer research in Australia. Since 1984, it has provided over $204 million to equip scientists with cutting-edge technology and infrastructure, enabling high-impact research into cancer prevention, detection, and treatment. By funding these critical resources, ACRF empowers researchers to make breakthroughs that improve outcomes for people affected by cancer.
The challenge
ACRF recognised the challenge of retaining and empowering talented scientists, particularly women in the field. To support this, ACRF committed to investing in their professional growth beyond research, including the development of communication skills that will help them to drive impact, inspire confidence, and deliver meaningful outcomes in the fight against cancer.
The NIDA Corporate Training solution
ACRF partnered with NIDA Corporate Training to deliver a tailored 60-minute virtual workshop, aimed to equip researchers, leaders, and advocates with the skills to present with clarity, authenticity, and influence.
Although delivered virtually, participants were able to explore practical vocal and physical techniques to enhance presence, manage nerves, and engage audiences with greater clarity and impact. They also developed tools to craft authentic narratives, connect through purposeful storytelling, and present ideas with confidence. The session equipped researchers to communicate with authority, inspire trust, and more effectively advocate for their important work.
Our impact
The virtual delivery allowed researchers, leaders, and advocates from around the country to access this customised training. Importantly, participants were able to gain awareness of their own communication styles in the corporate context. Responding to a question about their biggest lessons from the training, one participant remarked:
“Gaining valuable insights on the importance of how you present yourself in a corporate environment to influence and persuade conversations – you actually do have some control over this. Also, working through practical examples of how to address the ‘great Australian cultural tendencies‘.”
Communication training is a valuable investment to develop resilient teams. The strength of our custom training lies in the contextualisation communication-based challenges to an organisation’s workplace environment and team capabilities, whether that’s in presenting complex research data or fundraising with major donors.
Contact us to find out how we can support your team to reach your goals.
