Elevating Researchers Through Public Visibility – Highlights from our ‘Brand Lab’ in Paris

On the 27th and 28th of March 2025, a dynamic collaboration unfolded in Paris as the Mawazo Institute joined forces with the Schlumberger Foundation for an inspiring “Brand Lab” workshop. The workshop, attended by Faculty For the Future Fellows based in France, Belgium, Italy and Switzerland, aimed to tackle the underexplored subject of public visibility among researchers—particularly women.

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Embracing Visibility Beyond the Individual

As shared by facilitators Naliaka Odera and Dr Fiona Moejes, the workshop emphasised that public visibility transcends the individual—it represents the collective “we” that embodies leadership, innovation, and hope. Fiona’s powerful sentiment, “It is not about me; or about the ‘I’. It is about who and what we represent,” set the tone for the workshop. This philosophy encouraged participants to confront fears of vulnerability and criticism and instead stand boldly in their power as experts and leaders in their fields.

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A Space for Reflection and Growth

The workshop included thoughtfully curated sessions to help participants rediscover their narratives and embrace their unique contributions:

• Personal Storytelling: Guided exercises allowed researchers to reflect on their identities and contributions, creating powerful narratives to share with the world.
• Crafting Digital Presence: Participants explored the nuances of public engagement, drafted LinkedIn bios, and gained insights into building a digital footprint.
• Commitment to Action: Participants crafted actionable plans to amplify their visibility and share their expertise meaningfully.

The participants also had an opportunity to meet with the team and board members of the Schlumberger Foundation.

Voices from the Participants

Dr Nini Sane, one of the participants, described the experience: “During these precious moments, we had the chance to be coached by Dr. Fiona Moejes and Naliaka Odera and to exchange with participants from the Faculty for the Future and SLB.  This allowed us to redefine our objectives as researchers and improve our public profiles. Today, I am more than proud to have completed my PhD with the Schlumberger Foundation a journey that was both challenging and rewarding.”

Chiara Bonomi, an attendee from SLB, shared: “I had the privilege of meeting incredibly talented and inspiring women, all dedicated to groundbreaking projects that will shape the future of their countries and beyond. Their passion, resilience, and commitment to driving change through science and technology were truly inspiring.”

Facilitator Dr. Fiona Moejes from the Mawazo Institute summed up the essence of the workshop: “The power of the ‘we’ allows us to show up, speak out, and dream big, spotlighting our contributions despite the fear of criticism and judgement.”

Building Connections for Impact

The Schlumberger Foundation’s commitment to fostering visibility among women in STEM shone brightly throughout the workshop. Thanks to the invaluable contributions of facilitators Fiona and Naliaka, organisers Aseye Mimi Nutsugah, Elisabeth Forge and Axel Zeppenfeld, and inspiring leaders such as Capella Festa, the workshop proved to be a powerful platform for collaboration and empowerment.

By empowering participants to embrace their visibility as representatives of collective strength and expertise, the workshop set a strong foundation for driving transformative impact. It is the first in a series of workshops following this impactful format, engaging other Fellows in different locations and continuing to amplify the voices of women researchers worldwide. This initiative aims to build a global community of women leaders in STEM, championing innovation, education and leadership.