Research Leader Programme

The Research Leader Programme is for aspiring and new Principal Investigators at the University of Edinburgh, focusing on the challenges faced by PIs as they establish themselves as team leaders for the first time and how they can build positive research cultures. Topics include understanding your approach to leadership, developing and supporting a research team and individuals, and developing your research strategy.

Who is it for?

Eligible applicants are likely to be University of Edinburgh senior postdocs, research fellows, recently appointed academic staff, or new Principal Investigators who are leading teams and supporting individuals for the first time. Please be aware that some experience of managing or leading teams or individuals, or imminently being in a position to do so, will be necessary. Though aspects of this programme are relevant for leading collaborative groups, this is not the main focus of the programme.

What can I expect?

The cohort-based programme is designed to support researchers to develop key leadership skills in the context of the Higher Education sector to build positive cultures and support individuals and teams to develop. Participants will also have an opportunity to learn from colleagues and peers from across the institution in similar positions. The specific topics that will be covered include: 

• Introduction to research leadership and understanding your approach to leadership
• Leading research teams effectively and supporting individuals to set them up for success
• Dealing with common challenges in teams and with individuals
• Developing a strategic approach to your research

Through a mixture of leadership theory and peer discussion and learning participants will be given methods and approaches to leading research teams and supporting individuals effectively, and will be able to apply these in their own contexts. Previous participants have given very positive feedback on the course, and some recent comments from participants in 2025 included:

“I cannot rave about this course enough - it was amazing. This has been invaluable and I'm so glad I got a spot. I wish it was still running. “

“I would strongly recommend this course to other new and aspiring PIs.”

“Overall, it was a great programme for thinking about research leadership holistically, from building and leading teams to moving towards my own objectives as a research leader.”

“I gained a lot from the two days and I'm so glad I protected the time and came along.” 

What is not covered

This programme does not include detailed process information, budget and finance information, funding and proposals. These are highly discipline specific or specific to your local context, and will therefore not be covered in this programme. Further support for these are available in Schools or Colleges.

Upcoming programmes and dates

The Research Leader Programme will run three times in AY2025/26, once online and twice on campus. 

Online Research Leader Programme

The online programme will run once over four half-days, spread out over several months. You must be able to attend all four half-days on the dates indicated below in order to be eligible to apply.

• 15 January 2026, 13:30-16:30
• 5 February 2026, 13:30-16:30
• 24 February 2026, 13:30-16:30
• 19 March 2026,  13:30-16:30

The online programme is facilitated by Robin Henderson of My Consultants.

In-person Research Leader Programme

The in-person programme will run twice, once per semester, and will be delivered over two consecutive days in a central campus location. You must be able to attend two consecutive days in either semester on the dates indicated below to be eligible to apply.

• Semester One: 1 & 2 December 2025, 10:00-16:30 both days

  OR

• Semester Two:  25 & 26 May 2026, 10:00-16:30 both days

The in-person programme is facilitated by Emily Woollen in IAD.

Applications

Places are available for eligible colleagues in all three Colleges who can commit to attending all days of either the online or in-person offers, as outlined above. Apply for your chosen programme offer below. Applications will be open during the times indicated or until the programme is full. 

Please be aware there are limited places available in each offer. Based on previous iterations, we expect demand to be high and may need to allocate spaces on a first-come basis. Get your application in early for the best chance of a space. If you do not get a space on your chosen programme you may be asked to apply again.