How do researchers learn to lead when academic training primarily focuses on producing knowledge rather than managing people?
As universities encourage external funding and research teams grow in size, complexity, and interdisciplinarity, many researchers find themselves responsible for coordinating groups, navigating administrative demands, and shaping collective agendas without having received any formal preparation for these roles.
This workshop brings together distinguished researchers from a range of disciplines alongside HR and research-support professionals to address these challenges.
Senior scholars will reflect on their experiences of building and leading research groups, addressing strategic questions of leadership, conflict management, expectation-setting, and sustaining motivation over long-term projects. Complementing these perspectives, HR specialists will lead a hands-on seminar offering concrete tools for effective research team management, with a focus on communication, workload planning, and fostering inclusive group cultures.
By combining experiential insights with applied training, the workshop creates a dedicated space for researchers at all career stages to reflect on their own leadership practices, exchange experiences, and develop a clearer understanding of their leadership profile.
Time: Friday 13 March 2026, at 09-00 - 16:00
09.00 - 09.15 | Welcome remarks by Maria Rentetzi, AIAS Science Diplomacy Fellow and co-organizer of the workshop |
09.15 - 10.45 | Session one: Senior researchers offer their experiences and perspectives on managing a research team. Each talk is followed by a Q&A. |
10.45 - 11.00 | Coffee break (15 minutes) |
11.00 - 11.45 | Stine Helene Falsig Pedersen, Deputy Head of Department for Research and Professor at the Department of Biology, Cell Biology and Physiology |
11.45 - 12.45 | Lunch break |
12.45 - 14.45 | Hands-on seminar undertaken by HR officials. |
14.45 - 15.30 | Discussions, recap of the day and final conclussions |
Participation in the workshop is free of charge, but participants will need to cover their own travel and accommodation expenses.
Registration link can be found here
The workshop is organized by Aarhus Institute of Advanced Studies, Aarhus University (AIAS) in collebaration with Maria Rentetzi, AIAS Science Diplomacy Fellow
