Leading for Research Fellows
About the Programme
Our University is committed to providing a creative, ambitious and supportive environment in which researchers at every stage can develop into and thrive as leaders in their chosen field.
Leading for Research Fellows is a 6 month development programme involving face-to-face events and 6 key virtual modules on a range of leadership topics relevant to the role of Research Fellows.
Working together with other Fellows facing similar challenges in the workplace, the programme enables delegates to come together and consider their leadership style, how they interact with others, develop techniques to help them build collaboration and develop their leadership capabilities.
Leading for Research Fellows highlights
- Short, half day (9:30-13:00) virtual workshops to fit around existing commitments.
- Workshops delivered via zoom for accessibility, recognising that researchers are not always in Manchester.
- Action Learning Sets to support development through group coaching
- Peer networking - work and share knowledge with other Fellows.
- Shared Teams space for your cohort, enabling you to access workshop resources and discuss key topics from the sessions with your peers.
- Sessions run by external and internal colleagues familiar at working with researchers.
Who is it for?
This programme is for Research Fellows.
What does the programme involve?
Over 6 months, the programme will include:
- A half-day, in person Launch event
- 6 x half-day virtual workshops with some advance pre-reading
- 2 x 90 minute virtual Action Learning Sets (ALS) where you practice group coaching
- A half-day, in person Impact event to conclude the programme
Leading for Research Fellows Roadmap
| Session | Title | Overview |
|---|---|---|
| Launch | Welcome | Introductions, leadership in a research context. |
| Module 1 | Self-leadership | Thinking about yourself as a leader: Inclusive leadership, Leadership styles, Emotional Intelligence. |
| Module 2 | Inspire and Influence | Thinking strategically: Adaptive leadership, Strategic Research Planning, engaging others in strategy. |
| ALS 1 | Group coaching | Opportunity to talk through your own developmental/career needs. |
| Module 3 | Individual Performance | Thinking about individual performance: performance conversations, feedback,difficult conversations, the manager as coach. |
| Module 4 | Team Performance | Thinking about team performance: building and managing teams, Stakeholder engagement. |
| ALS 2 | Group coaching | Opportunity to talk through your own developmental/career needs. |
| Module 5 | Engagement and Motivation | Thinking about delegation and motivation in a research team. |
| Module 6 | Managing Change | Thinking about leadership and change, how to manage and communicate the change process. |
| Impact | Programme close | Reflect and development planning. |
Feedback from Fellows on the programme
“I am more confident in myself and this has fortified my self-esteem. I can now distinguish between what is worth pursuing and what it is not”
“The programme supported me in beginning line management and I'm using various techniques to lead in that sense, but also planning ahead in terms of my own goals as well as developing team goals beyond our current funding. “
“Thanks all for a really excellent course - it's honestly changed my life. I would strongly recommend it to any academic transitioning (or thinking of transitioning) into research independence. “
Applications for 2024/25
Applications to the programme are now open for cohort 4.
To apply to the programme please click 'Application form’ below.
Applications will be reviewed by a panel with an interest in researcher development and applicants will be informed of the success of their application within 3 weeks of the closing date.
Important things to check before applying
Before completing your application to the programme, please ensure:
- You are a Research Fellow
- You have a demonstrable interest or need to develop leadership skills
- You are able to commit to completing the full programme including all modules, impact and launch events, self-directed learning and action learning sets
- You have reviewed the programme dates and can be available for all the dates for your selected cohort.
- You have your line manager's full support to undertake the programme. You will be required to submit a short statement from your line manager as part of your application.
Contact
For more information about the Leading for Research Fellows programme please contact learning-od@manchester.ac.uk.
