Laura Aymerich-Franch

Behavioural Scientist, Principal Research Scientist Dubai Future Labs, Executive Coach Georgetown University EMBA Programme

Laura Aymerich-Franch’s Biography:

Laura Aymerich-Franch, PhD, is a globally respected behavioural scientist and keynote speaker specialising in emerging technologies, leadership and human behaviour. She currently serves as Principal Research Scientist at Dubai Future Labs within the Dubai Future Foundation and as Executive Coach for the Georgetown University EMBA programme. Laura is widely recognised for translating complex behavioural science into practical insight for leaders, organisations and policymakers, and for advancing the use of virtual reality, social robots and AI-driven tools to support mental wellbeing and behavioural change at scale.

Laura’s early career was shaped by academic excellence and a strong international outlook. She completed her PhD in Communication and Advertising at the Autonomous University of Barcelona, graduating with an Excellent Cum Laude distinction, before securing a highly competitive appointment as a Fulbright Postdoctoral Scholar at Stanford University. During her time at Stanford’s Virtual Human Interaction Lab, Laura explored how avatar transformation in virtual reality could reduce social anxiety and public speaking fear, research that continues to influence applied VR interventions today. These formative years laid the foundation for her ability to bridge rigorous research with real-world behavioural outcomes.

Her career trajectory includes some of the most prestigious research roles in the field. Laura was selected as a Marie Curie IOF Postdoctoral Fellow at the CNRS-AIST Joint Robotics Laboratory in Japan, where she investigated humanoid robot avatars and immersive virtual environments. She later became a Visiting Scholar at the MIT Media Lab, working on social robots for wellbeing interventions, and was appointed Ramón y Cajal Senior Research Fellow at Universitat Pompeu Fabra, a highly selective fellowship recognising research excellence. In 2021, Laura was invited to serve as a Visiting Scientist at the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre, contributing to research on social acceptance and ethical coexistence between humans and robots in healthcare contexts. Alongside her academic work, she has authored more than 50 scientific publications, cementing her reputation as a leading voice in behavioural science and emerging technology.

Today, Laura is in high demand as a keynote speaker because she addresses the human challenges behind technological progress. She is the founder of Akazest, a science-backed coaching practice focused on conscious self-rewiring for healthy success, and combines her research background with executive coaching experience to deliver talks that resonate with senior leaders. Laura speaks on topics including ‘The Empowered AI Mindset’, neuroleadership, behavioural transformation and mental wellbeing in the age of intelligent systems. These subjects are increasingly critical as organisations adopt new technologies while seeking to protect performance, resilience and ethical decision-making. Audiences value Laura’s clarity, credibility and practical insight, leaving with evidence-based strategies they can apply immediately in leadership, culture and personal development.

Why Hire Laura Aymerich-Franch?

Laura Aymerich-Franch brings rare credibility to the conversation around leadership, behaviour and emerging technology. She combines world-class research with real executive experience, helping leaders understand how people actually think, decide and adapt in fast-changing environments. Her work spans AI, virtual reality and human behaviour, always grounded in mental wellbeing and ethical impact. On stage, Laura translates complex science into clear, practical insight that leaders can use straight away. One audience recently applied her behavioural frameworks to redesign leadership development around resilience and decision-making. Expect calm authority, intellectual rigour and ideas that genuinely shift behaviour.

Laura Aymerich-Franch’s Career Highlights:

Here are some of the key milestones that define Laura Aymerich-Franch’s impressive career in behavioural science:

• 2025 – Continued appointment as Principal Research Scientist, Dubai Future Labs
• 2024 – Appointed Executive Coach, Georgetown University EMBA Programme
• 2023 – Founded Akazest, science-backed coaching programme
• 2021 – Appointed Visiting Scientist, European Commission Joint Research Centre
• 2018 – Awarded Ramón y Cajal Senior Research Fellowship, Universitat Pompeu Fabra
• 2014 – Selected as Marie Curie IOF Postdoctoral Fellow, CNRS-AIST JRL
• 2012 – Awarded Fulbright Postdoctoral Scholarship, Stanford University