Read the latest Issue
We are EMBL: Laura Marin on moving back to Barcelona, success, and the colour blue
The Head of Administration at EMBL Barcelona talks about how true success lies in finding joy at work and how she feels in her new role
Laura Marin has 25 years of experience in science policy, transnational research projects, and managing horizontal interdisciplinary teams across countries. After more than 15 years living abroad, she is now back in her hometown Barcelona, where she recently joined as EMBL Barcelona’s Head of Administration. We talked to her about the importance of adding value to everyone’s job and the journey towards our individual and collective goals.
How does it feel to be back home after so many years abroad?
It’s good to be back! I have spent most of my professional life abroad, so although I am back home, it’s also an adaptation period for me. Working in the PRBB building is great, it’s a stunning place with a great international community.
Also, at EMBL Barcelona, I feel like there is a strong sense of community that one can sense in the Friday Unit Meetings and beer sessions. I especially enjoy the elevator pitch that researchers give to the admin team and that serves as a space to connect with researchers and colleagues from other teams.
What do you think is the most exciting thing about your work?
During my entire professional career, independent of the field or country, I have always enjoyed the interpersonal part of my job. Bringing people together, creating collaborative dynamics, and shaping space for cooperation are aspects that I really enjoy.
I believe that finding joy and purpose in your work, whatever that may be, is true success. And for me, that means connecting ideas, boosting transnational collaboration, and co-designing processes and activities with my team and colleagues.
How important do you think collaboration is to achieving your goals?
Collaboration is key – necessary to achieving anything in life. It is not only achieving the goal that matters, but also providing meaning to the journey towards the end goal. And to provide meaning, we need to have a joint vision where everyone’s responsibilities are recognised and valued.
What is your passion?
I would say people. I have always been curious about cultures, mindsets, societies. In this role and my previous ones, I have seen how critical it is to bring people with different backgrounds together to achieve advancement.
What do you do in your spare time?
I like to travel, and to learn about art history in the places I visit. I have been working and living in different countries across the globe, and travel has helped me learn to be operative in different contexts. For example now, after many years of living abroad, from South Africa to the US, and more recently commuting between Sweden, Denmark, and Belgium, I have returned to Barcelona and I am very happy to see that the EMBL Barcelona site is such an international workplace.
Where do you find inspiration for solving problems at work?
I find inspiration for solving problems at work by exploring other areas or contexts. I actively seek out benchmarks and examples from different industries or circles that have faced and successfully addressed similar challenges. By examining how others have approached these issues, I gain new perspectives and ideas that can be adapted to my own work environment.
What are some of your favourite books?
I really enjoy essays, especially art essays. Lately I have read Michel Pastoureau’s book ‘Blue: The history of a colour’, and it has become one of my favourites. This book explains how different cultures interpret colour, its spiritual connotations, how to produce colours, history trends… for example, did you know that in Europe, blue was widely recognised as a colour only in the middle ages? The ancient Roman and Greek cultures did not acknowledge the colour blue. And today, blue is the favourite colour of the western world. I find it fascinating!
What’s the most used app on your phone?
El Pais and Spotify. Every morning, I like to scroll the main trusted international outlets, and while commuting, I usually listen to podcasts on management, personal growth, and history.
