Leading Researchers Training Programme (Grades 10-12)
The Research Relations Team have introduced a new ‘Leading Researchers’ training programme, running for the first time at Cambridge in 2025. This programme equips mid-career academics with the skills and knowledge necessary to assemble competitive large grant applications and lead effective & inclusive teams.
Who is this programme for?
Leading Researchers is for mid-career researchers at the later stages of Associate Professorship or early stages of full Professorship: typically upper levels of Grade 10, Grade 11, or recently moved into Grade 12. Research leadership at this level includes management of a team and work across many stakeholders, and the programme will particularly benefit researchers who are thinking about developing large programmes of research.
The inaugural cohort involves 21 academics from across the School of Physical Sciences and the School of Technology.
What does the programme involve?
The Leading Researchers programme provides participants with the space and time to develop their long-term and large-scale research ambitions. It helps them to acquire leadership skills that stand up to complex university environments, and to develop supportive relationships with colleagues, funders and stakeholders that seed equitable research cultures. Participants will gain the skills and confidence to navigate constructively a range of interpersonal situations within their group and department; they will increase their awareness of barriers to research, and develop strategies for tackling these and helping colleagues to do the same; and they will increase their ability to form and articulate a “big idea” in a compelling and fundable way.
This is done via a mixture of practical information and guidance, personal development, and networking and inter-disciplinary collaboration within and beyond Cambridge. It creates a lasting support network between the cohort, and facilitates the cross-institution connections needed for large research programmes.
The programme runs over 6 months, from late March – late September. It includes a series of whole-day workshops, 1:1 and group coaching sessions, and information sessions on a range of topics. The programme culminates in a big-ideas summit where researchers ‘introduce’ their ideas to an audience of senior academics and invited guests.
Further details
We are working with an experienced company called 64 Million Artists to deliver this programme in 2025. We hope to be able run this programme again next year. If you would like more information about this training programme please contact the Research Relations Team.
You can read more about the Leading Researcher Programme here: https://64millionartists.com/what-we-do/leadership/
Leadership Development Programme for Academic Group Leaders (Grades 9 & 10)
Research Culture Funding has been used to develop a bespoke programme to provide Leadership Development for Academic Group Leaders (Grades 9 & 10). The programme will deliver training and support; to develop inclusive and progressive leadership - participants will also receive 3 individual Coaching sessions.
The course aims to equip group leaders with the skills needed to promote mutual respect within newly established groups (within the first 5 years) and to lay the groundwork for expectations as a role model. Sessions will enhance understanding of key leadership principles and their impact on organisational success. Participants will be able to explore the unique challenges and dynamics of various leadership styles and their effectiveness in different organisational contexts and scenarios.
Who is eligible to participate:
Independent Fellows/University Teaching Officers (Grade 9 and Grade 10) within the first 5 years of appointment as they establish and consolidate their independent groups. Places are available for members of the School of Biological Sciences, School of Clinical Medicine, School of Physical Sciences & the School of Technology. The course will run over 2 academic years, comprised of 2 cohorts of 20.
Cohort A will run 23-25 June 2025 and Cohort B is scheduled for 19-21 Jan 2026. Please contact Paula Bibby , Research Culture and Fellowships Facilitator , School of Biological Sciences (pb630@cam.ac.uk) for more information.
Principal Investigator Training (all academics)
The Research Operations Office offers guidance and tools to help researchers find funding, prepare an application and manage a grant. The Research Office has also recently developed The Principal Investigator Programme to help researchers with their responsibilities of managing a grant. The programme modules provide essential background information, tools and tips as well as online events with the presenters and other participants. Completion of the programme will help PIs to understand and implement the financial, ethical, legal and regulatory aspects of successful grant management. Presentations are now available on the Principal Investigator Programme SharePoint page.
More general Learning and Development courses and resources (all staff)
The University’s PPD team offer a range of courses available here: Learning and Development |. This includes instructor led as well as online courses and bitesize online resources. In addition, LinkedIn Learning is available for all University and College staff and contains a wide range of recommended resources from many sources.