Practical
Monday, 16 February, 2026 up to and including Sunday, 22 February, 2026
- 09:30 until 18:00
VUB Main Campus Etterbeek
Pleinlaan 2
1050 Elsene
Braem building
Pleinlaan 2
1050 Elsene
Braem building
Free of charge
The Vrije Universiteit Brussel invites you to the exhibition Women shaping science.
From 11 February 2026 until 6 March 2026, the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) will present the exhibition Women Shaping Science: a powerful photographic showcase featuring portraits of women academics from VUB, captured by the renowned Belgian photographer Lieve Blancquaert. The VUB is launching this initiative to mark both the International Day of Women and Girls in Science (11 February) and International Women’s Day (8 March).
Women academics as role models
The portraits showcase women who are conducting research, excelling in their fields and taking on leadership roles. At the same time, they act as a window into a much broader reality: hundreds of women who are shaping science and the world every day at VUB—whether in labs, research centres, lecture halls, policy rooms and governing bodies.
Yet women academics remain too often underrepresented in the public eye as experts, leaders, or voices in societal debate.
Everyone who, like the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, wants to endorse women academics as role models in society, is warmly invited to the exhibition.
Would you like to join us for the opening of the exhibition on 11 February? Register here.
Opening hours
The expo follows the opening hours of the Braem Building:
- Visitors: every weekday from 8:30 to 16:00
- VUB staff: every weekday from 7:00 to 20:00
Also on view in Mechelen and Vilvoorde
To give as many people as possible the chance to get to know women shaping science, the full exhibition will also travel to the following locations:
Mechelen – Technopolis, Technologielaan 1 – from 16 to 22 February – free with a Technopolis ticket
Vilvoorde – Maakwinkelstraat at Asiat Park, entrance via Mechelsesteenweg 255 – from 16 February to 1 May – free entry
And in Halle, Jette and Ostend
From 3 March onwards, you can view selected parts of the exhibition at these locations:
Halle – to be announced
Jette – UZ Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 101
Ostend – VUB at Sea, Graaf De Smet de Naeyerlaan 4
The world needs you
This initiative is part of VUB's public programme, a programme for everyone who believes that scientific knowledge, critical thinking and dialogue are an important first step to create impact in the world.
As an Urban Engaged University, VUB aims to be a driver of change in the world. With our academic edcuational programmes and innovative research, we contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations and to making a difference locally and globally.
