Scottish Research Leaders Network

Join other research leaders from across Scottish Higher Education institutions for short monthly online events to learn new skills for leadership and engage in peer learning and networking opportunities. The network is open to all staff in participating institutions who are aspiring, new or established
research leaders.

Scottish Research Leaders Network Logo

The Scottish Research Leaders Network is a collaborative initiative advancing research leadership across Scottish Higher
Education Institutions (HEIs). The network aims to make research leadership training accessible and available to all Scottish
researchers (staff) and build a connected community of research leaders who collectively strengthen Scotland’s research cultures.

Drawing on resources provided by the UKRI Future Leaders Fellows Development Network (FLFDN) for research leadership,
participants will benefit from the collective expertise of facilitators and opportunities to connect and learn from peers
across Scottish HEIs. The network is open to all staff in participating institutions who are aspiring, new or established
research leaders.

The Scottish Research Leaders Network will launch in January 2026, with short monthly online sessions. Attendance is
optional, and each session will provide tools and ideas for leadership and the opportunity for peer learning and networking.
Part of the session will be recorded to create a sustainable resource that participants can revisit and use beyond the live
programme. As an optional extra, individual institutions may run a cohort integrated with the sessions.


Date (11:00-12:30)TitleDescriptionBooking Link
Tue 20th JanBuilding self-awareness for leadershipGreat leadership begins with a strong sense of self, a prerequisite for effective and authentic team leadership. Leaders need to understand their own drivers and motivators, and how they might perceive and respond to others. This event aims to provide tools to build self-awareness for enhanced leadership and efficacy in research.Register on Eventbrite
Tue 17th FebSelf-doubt and the inner-criticIt is particularly common for research leaders to have a strong inner critic and imposter feelings, which can impede progress. This event aims to equip leaders with a greater understanding of why they might experience self-doubt, and how to reduce or manage their inner critic to enhance performance.Register on Eventbrite
Mon 16th MarBuilding effective research teamsBuilding and maintaining research teams and addressing team dysfunction are essential aspects of delivering successful research projects. Teams need to develop before they can perform, and this takes time, energy and leadership. This event aims to provide an overview of three key models for building effective teams and understanding team dysfunction, supporting leaders to understand team development stages and consider practical things that leaders can do and say to prevent team dysfunction.Register on Eventbrite
Tue 21st AprSituational leadership and motivating othersGood leadership often entails a degree of agility – the willingness and ability to change approach, based on the ever-emerging picture of what our teamor individuals are needing, wanting, expecting. Good leaders also need to understand what motivates others to support individuals to deliver on tasks and achieve goals. This event aims to provide two frameworks to help leaders decide which leadership style to use and when, as well as outline key theories of motivation to support others to deliver on tasks.Register on Eventbrite
Tue 19th MayCoaching and delegationAs leaders we cannot know everything or have all the answers. Using coaching approaches helps our team to help themselves, enabling them to find answers for
themselves. This event aims to introduce active listening, provide frameworks for how you can use coaching approaches in your conversations, and explore a model for developing others for effective delegation of tasks.		Register on Eventbrite
Tue 15th SepChallenging conversations and
non-violent communications		As research leaders, giving feedback and having important conversations are some of the more important elements of managing others. Having important and respectful conversations requires very careful planning to make them effective. This event aims to provide a useful planning structure for having challenging or important conversations, and outlines an approach to promote honest and respectful dialogue.Register on Eventbrite
Tue 20th OctValues and vision in researchIt is important for leaders to understand and articulate their values, as this will impact the types of research projects they undertake and the types of cultures they create. Leaders also need to be able to articulate their research vision in a single narrative, which others such as their teams or funders will be able to understand and buy into. This event aims to provide tools for uncovering individual and collective values and looks at ways to effectively define and articulate a research vision, helping leaders to bring others with them toward a common goal.Register on Eventbrite
Tue 17th NovStrategic thinking and planning for researchLeadership requires us to know where we are heading, scan the horizon, and plan for the future. It involves planning, prioritising, and adapting your research to achieve
specific, well-defined objectives, rather than conducting research in an ad-hoc or reactive manner. This event aims to explore tools and techniques to help researchers define their future goals, prioritise activities, and horizon scan to prepare for the future.		Register on Eventbrite

NB: Please remember to add events to your calendar once you've registered on Eventbrite


Download the SRLN Programme 2026

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