In today’s scientific landscape, technical expertise alone is no longer enough. Research careers are increasingly shaped by external pressures: funding uncertainty, shifting institutional and national priorities, short-term contracts, and growing expectations for interdisciplinary and international collaborations. In this environment, how you present yourself and communicate your work can be just as important as the work itself.

But your professional brand is not just how others see you, it’s also how you see yourself. It reflects your values, strengths, and aspirations, guiding the choices you make and shaping the story you tell. A clear brand helps you stay aligned with what matters most to you while making it easier for others to understand your unique contributions and potential.

In this engaging and thought-provoking presentation, you will learn what a professional brand is, why it matters in today’s scientific environment, and how it can be used to clarify your direction, expand your network, and open new doors. You will leave with a fresh perspective on your professional identity and practical ways to start shaping a brand that reflects both who you are and where you want to go.

In today’s unpredictable research landscape, many scientists are rethinking what it means to grow a meaningful, sustainable career. Instead of following a fixed path or waiting for opportunities to appear, researchers are learning how to recognize and create options that align with their identity.

In this interactive session, we’ll explore future-proofing from two essential timelines: the short-term, where having a strategic Plan B can help you stay adaptable during change or uncertainty; and the long-term, where defining your personal vision of career success helps guide you toward a fulfilling destination. We’ll use the lens of your professional identity/brand (your unique combination of values, interests, and skills) to explore three distinct career journey approaches and three practical strategies for identifying your next opportunity.

You’ll leave with greater clarity about your direction, a framework for evaluating opportunities, and the confidence to make career decisions that align with both your short-term needs and long-term goals.

Communicating your professional brand is about more than job applications—it’s about how you tell your story across every stage of your career. From a resume or CV to a LinkedIn profile or personal website, from networking conversations to high-stakes interviews, your brand needs to come through in different formats. This session explores how to craft a clear, consistent story that highlights your values, interests, and skills while adapting to different audiences.

We’ll walk through three major contexts for storytelling:

*Written - permanent (e.g. resumes, cover letters, emails)

*Digital - dynamic (e.g. LinkedIn profiles & professional websites)

*Verbal - live (e.g. conferences, interviews, negotiations, panels)

Through real-world examples and sector-based comparisons, you’ll see how the same brand can be communicated in multiple ways—whether you’re applying for a job, competing for a promotion, or seeking funding. You’ll walk away with practical strategies to ensure your brand isn’t just defined, but also seen, heard, and remembered.