Clarity vs Complexity - Branding for Researchers With Michael Dargie

What if your academic CV is working against you? This week on Beyond the Thesis with Papa PhD, creative strategist and branding expert Michael Dargie joins David Mendes to reframe how researchers can become memorable in non-academic spaces.

Drawing from his new book Brandjitsu, Michael shares his unique approach to personal branding, designed for introverts and extroverts alike. Learn why showcasing only 20% of your experience can be more powerful than oversharing, and how to shift the spotlight from your journey to your audience’s needs.

You’ll learn:

• Why clarity beats complexity when talking about your PhD background

• How to tailor your “brand story” to industry audiences

• The difference between “showing up” and commanding attention

• How to overcome the emotional challenge of pruning your experience

• How to think like Yoda, not the hero, in your narrative

Whether you’re navigating your next PhD career transition or still figuring out how to tell your story, this conversation is packed with actionable strategies.

📩 Share this episode with a colleague who’s preparing their elevator pitch.

Keywords: personal branding for PhDs, PhD career transition, PhD to industry, transferable skills, LinkedIn for researchers