Spotlight sessions

Short bite-size online events to get new ideas for leadership and key information for research

Spotlight sessions are short bite-size online events aimed at PIs and research leaders that offer an opportunity to enhance your leadership capabilities and obtain key information for research. If you’re short on time and just want the key ideas, then these sessions are for you! 

Previous spotlight sessions 

If you are unable to attend a Spotlight session on the day, you can catch up by looking at the resources or watching the recording. Please note that group discussions and Q&As are not included in the recording for privacy reasons.

Upcoming spotlight sessions

TitleDescription /SpeakerDate (13:00-14:00)Booking link 
Spotlight on leadership styles 

This session will look at different leadership styles, looking at which approach to use and when. 

Speaker: Dr Emily Woollen, IAD 

Tuesday, January 14, 2025 https://edin.ac/4d5KGuz 
Spotlight on embedding engagement and impact in research proposals 

This session will introduce some tools for developing a pathway to impact to be integrated in research proposals.  

Speaker: Dr Anne Sofie Laegran, Head of Research Impact, ERO 

Thursday, January 23, 2025 https://edin.ac/3VjF9du 
Spotlight on coaching skills for leaders 

This session looks at how using coaching and listening skills help us to be better leaders and enable other people’s success.  

Speaker: Dr Emily Woollen, IAD 

Tuesday, February 4, 2025 https://edin.ac/3DbFWqP 
Spotlight on improving research cultures 

This session will look at how PIs can improve research culture in their teams, School or Insitute, and learn more about what the University is doing to improve its Research Cultures.   

Speaker: Alex Pedden, Head of Research Cultures, IAD 

Thursday, February 20, 2025 https://edin.ac/3OU3hj6 
Spotlight on having important conversations 

This session will focus on how to have important conversations for performance management, and how to delegate and motivate others. 

Speaker: Dr Emily Woollen, IAD 

Tuesday, March 4, 2025 https://edin.ac/4gqbRlB 
Spotlight on how to collaborate with external partners   

This session is relevant for PIs and their teams who want to work with external partners, undertake translational research or work towards impact and adoption of their research in civic society or industry. 

Speaker: Claire Pembleton, Business Development Executive, EI 

Thursday, March 20, 2025 https://edin.ac/3OSJq43 
Spotlight on values and purpose in leadership 

This session will look at different tools for uncovering workplace, personal and team values. It will also look at ways to effectively define and articulate our purpose, helping leaders to bring others with them. 

Speaker: Dr Emily Woollen, IAD 

Tuesday, April 1, 2025 https://edin.ac/3Zs3cbz