Improving communications and teamwork skills
Title of the course: Improving communications and teamwork skills
Lead Organizer: WUP
Date: Apr, 7-22, 2026
Instructors: Roberto Verdone & Michela Catenacci
Program
| Date | Instructors | Topics |
| April 7 10:00 am | Roberto Verdone | 1. Introduction to the course. 2. Introduction to the realm of Soft Skills. 3. Fundamentals of Cognitive Styles and their impact on Soft Skills. Homework: students will work on their career development by setting a goal and analysing the set of skills required. The latter part will include teamwork (teams made by the instructor). Students will prepare a short report. |
| April 10 4:30 pm | Roberto Verdone | 1. Fundamentals of Human Communication and Human Behaviour 2. The Role of Cognitive Styles in Human Communication. 3. How to make a presentation: Slides Homework: students will assess their personality and soft skills through a set of tools provided by the instructor, and update the report based on the outcome, comparing their skills to those required for their target career. |
| April 14 9:00 am | Michela Catenacci | 1. Audience-oriented communication 2. How to Make a Presentation: Storytelling 3. Non Verbal Communication 4. Paraverbal Communication 5. How to manage stage fright and communication apprehension Homework: students will prepare a five-minute pitch to present to the instructors later. |
| April 15 9:00 am | Roberto Verdone | 1. Hot to make a CV 2. Job Interviews 3. STAR approach to job interviews 4. BARS (Behaviourally Anchored Ranking Schemes) Homework: the students will use an AI tool simulating a job interview and update the report |
| April 21 9:00 am | Michela Catenacci | 1. Emotional Intelligence: know yourself, choose yourself, build strong relationships 2. Team Working 3. Assertive Communication Homework: the students will meet in teams and will interview each other using the BARS. The ranking will be added to the report. |
| April 22 9:00 am | Roberto Verdone | 1. Each student will make his/her presentation 2. Feedback From Instructor |
Description
The ISLANDS Course on Improving Communications and Teamwork Skills provides doctoral candidates with key transversal skills to support their career development and professional growth. The course covers essential topics such as effective communication, presentation techniques, emotional intelligence, teamwork, and job interview preparation.
Through a mix of lectures and practical activities, participants explore cognitive styles, audience-oriented communication, and strategies to enhance both verbal and non-verbal communication. The course also supports students in defining career goals, assessing their skills, and preparing for the job market, including CV writing and interview simulations.
The training concludes with a short individual presentation, allowing participants to apply what they have learned and receive feedback from instructors.
Instructors Profile
Roberto Verdone, PhD, is a Full Professor of Telecommunications at the University of Bologna, with over 30 years of experience in wireless communications and research. He is the founder of the Radio Networks research group and has coordinated numerous European-funded projects, as well as collaborations with leading international industries.
Since 2010, he has extended his expertise to the field of soft skills, teaching courses on project management and professional development. He is also Director of WiLab, the National Laboratory of Wireless Communications of CNIT, and co-director of the WiLab–Huawei Joint Innovation Center on Intelligent IoT for 6G.
His teaching and research activities focus on mobile radio networks, Internet of Things, and the development of transversal skills for students and young professionals.
Michela Catenacci, PhD, is a communication and science dissemination expert with a research background. For over ten years, she has been designing and delivering tailored training programs on communication and soft skills for PhD students, researchers, academics, professionals, and organizations.
She also develops educational initiatives for schools and is actively involved in the organization of TEDx events. As a certified Emotional Intelligence Practitioner (SixSeconds), she supports individuals in developing emotional intelligence and effective communication skills.