Leading for Research Fellows
What is Leading for Research Fellows?
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 designed for research fellows to come together and develop their leadership skills and ability.
Working together with other fellows facing similar challenges in the workplace, it enables delegates to consider their leadership style, how they interact with others, and develop techniques to help them build collaboration. Based on a pilot programme and consultation with research fellows about their practical needs in leading and working with other people, the programme helps build capability and confidence in future research leaders.
Why Leading for Research Fellows?
- Short, half day (9:30-13:00) workshops to fit around existing commitments.
- Online workshops for accessibility, recognising that researchers are not always in Manchester.
- Focused sessions (Action Learning Sets) on your own development needs.
- Work with, and use the knowledge of, other fellows in a similar situation to yourself.
- Develop your support network.
- Online learning space (delivered through Teams) enabling you to access workshop resources and to 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 aimed at Research Fellows.
What does it involve?
The programme includes an in person Launch event, six half-day online modules, two online Action Learning Sets (ALS) where you practice group coaching, and an online Impact event. Workshops are hosted online and there will be some pre-read in advance of workshops.
Launch events will run 9:30-12:30, Impact events 9:30-12:00
Modules will run 9:30-13:00
ALS will run 10:00-11:30
| 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 pilot programme
‘It was well structured, focused on relevant aspects of my job and hence clearly will contribute to my development and the way in which I run my group.
‘I highly value the relaxed and critical atmosphere that was fostered in the session, allowing us to discuss the theories presented, not only the outcomes of those theories. I find this extremely useful in digesting the ideas’.
Feedback from researchers on ALS
'ALS was really productive and made me realise asking the right question is a big help to solve any problem.'
'ALS good to share but also to listen to people - putting into practice listening to your team and setting direction.'
'The ALS approach has helped me adjust my approach from advice-giving, to an approach that enables others to come to their own conclusions.'
Applications for 2023/24
To apply to the programme please click 'Application form’ below. There are two cohorts to choose from and please choose a cohort on the application form where you can attend all the dates. Applications are now closed for the 2023/24 intake. If spaces are available after this deadline applications will reopen later in the year.
Applications will be reviewed by a panel with an interest in researcher development. Applicants will be informed of the panel's decision within one week of the closing date. Any queries about the application process should be directed to learning-od@manchester.ac.uk.
Important things to check before applying
Before completing your application to the programme, please ensure:
- Your current role meets the criteria for the programme target audience
- You are 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 at least one of the cohorts. Make sure you make a note of which cohorts you can be available for as this will be required on your application form
- You have had a conversation with your line-manager, and have their 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.
