Research Leadership Essentials: Develop and realise your research ambitions
Following the success of the Research Leadership Essentials programme for mid-career academics at The University of Manchester, we are expanding the programme in 2026/27 to support a wider range of colleagues.
Who is the programme aimed at?
For 2026/27, we are expanding the Research Leadership Essentials programme with content for early career academics and research technical specialists.
We expect attendees will typically be:
- Early career academics, typically lecturers with a responsibility for both teaching and research.
- Research technical specialists who are, for example, leading significant methodological development, embedding robust methods including within interdisciplinary research, and/ or influencing research practice, policy and culture within and beyond the University.
What are the different elements of the programme?
Research Leadership Essentials is designed as a modular programme where you can participate in all of the activities, or only those that speak most directly to your needs and interests.
For early career academics, and research technical specialists, the programme comprises:
- Two full-day in person workshops focussing on ‘Nurturing Ideas’ and ‘Getting Ideas Off the Ground’.
- Access to 6 two-hour online ‘Spotlight’ sessions on different aspects of research leadership. These are all stand-alone sessions so you can book on to all sessions, or only those that most interest you.
The full list of sessions can be found below.
How can I take part?
You can register for each workshop and spotlight session via the links below. A short introductory video, created by 64 Million Artists and featuring alumni testimonials, will be available shortly.
Workshops
“This was one of the best and most useful workshops I have attended at the university. The focus on us as individuals and not just employees made the session really helpful and engaging. The range of activities were really excellent for promoting reflection and it was very well delivered.” 2025-26 Participant
Two in person workshops (each with a maximum of 30 attendees) will offer you three critical but frequently neglected things: facilitated creative space to develop ideas, supportive dialogue and feedback with peers, and the acquisition of leadership skills that you can apply to all areas of your work. The themes of the in-person workshops are summarised below and you can register for each workshop by clicking the links below (registration is for each workshop separately via the training catalogue).
Please note, places are limited on these workshops. After registering your interest at the links below, you will receive an email to confirm you have secured a place on the workshop.
| Nurturing Ideas | A full research reset, helping you to reconnect with your foundational values and professional goals, and to reflect on which ideas you care most about bringing to fruition. |
15 Oct 09:30-16:30 |
| Getting Ideas Off The Ground | Steering you through the leadership practices of leading an effective research delivery team and influencing others in your network of research relationships, strengthening your confidence as a leader. Includes an accountability session to commit to putting plans into action. |
11 May 09:30-16:30 |
Read more about the expected outcomes of each workshop below.
Workshop 1: Nurturing Ideas
Our opening workshop will offer participants a full research reset, helping you to reconnect with your foundational values and professional goals, and to reflect on which ideas you care most about bringing to fruition. The day’s outcomes will see you:
- Achieve clarity on what you want the next phase of your career to look like
- Thematically map and prioritise your current landscape of ideas
- Generate and commit to the research you’re most passionate about
- Gain skills and feedback in effectively communicating complex ideas to your peers
Workshop 2: Getting Ideas Off the Ground
Our second workshop will steer you through the leadership practices of leading an effective research delivery team and influencing others in your network of research relationships, strengthening your confidence as a leader. Includes an accountability session to commit to putting plans into action. The day’s outcomes will see you:
- Map the relationships that are critical to your project’s success, and explore how you will cultivate them
- Explore the main styles of situational leadership, and when to employ each of these
- Gain strategies for responding to crises and undertaking difficult decisions
- Develop a personalized action plan to take your idea to the next stage through 64 Million Artists’ Research Development Canvas
Spotlight Sessions
“Excellent facilitators: warm, positive, supportive and engaging.” 2025-26 Participant
A series of 6 two-hour online 'Spotlight' sessions combine expert teaching on the essential elements of research leadership with guest presentations and practical exercises, completable from your desk. The online sessions are summarised below. These are all stand-alone sessions so you can book on to all sessions, or only those that most interest you. You can register by clicking the links below (registration is via the training catalogue). Facilitators and guest speakers will be listed for each session nearer its date.
| 1: Developing and Leading Teams | Coaching and appraising team members, structuring relationships and meeting management, plus insights into EDI leadership principles. |
15 Oct 10:00-12:00 |
| 2: Landscape of Funding | An overview of funding trends and opportunities plus tips on securing large awards from a panel of UoM research leaders. |
2 Dec 14:00-16:00 |
| 3: Relational Dynamics and Difficult Conversations | Practical insights on how to prepare for and structure critical feedback and sensitive conversations, plus grounding in communication dynamics theory to help strengthen your relationships. | 14 Jan 10:00-12:00 |
| 4: Navigating Failure, Rejection and Mistakes | Strategies for recovering and growing from setbacks, and how to cultivate shared resilience amongst your team. |
11 Feb 14:00-16:00 |
| 5: Developing Collaborations Beyond the Academy | Best practices for working in community settings and establishing meaningful partnerships, including practical facilitation and co-creation skills. |
18 Mar 10:00-12:00 |
| 6: Exploring Stress, Uncertainty and Resilience | Building a picture of your stress triggers at work, with techniques for coping with change and challenge. |
22 Apr 14:00-16:00 |