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Queen Mary Academy
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  3. Academic Leadership Development
  4. Research & Innovation

Research & Innovation

This Research and Innovation Leadership programme is an interactive programme of training, action learning sets and project work, designed specifically for QMUL's mid-career research leaders.

The Research & Innovation Leadership programme equips mid-career research leaders to thrive in a competitive and fast changing research and innovation ecosystem.

Over the course of the programme, participants will develop the insight, confidence, and strategic skills needed to shape their research vision, secure high value collaborations, and lead research teams that deliver meaningful impact.

Apply to join the programme

Application deadline: Monday 1st June Please note that places are capped at 18

Begin your application

The programme blends sessions from expert speakers with practical workshops, peer learning, and networking. It culminates in a showcase of Impact Pitches, concise and compelling group presentations of new interdisciplinary research and innovation proposals developed during the programme, to an audience of peer and senior leaders.

This programme is aimed at mid-career researchers. 

The next cohort for this programme will take place in the 2026/2027 academic year. 

For details of the programme, explore our brochure. 

To apply to join the programme, please fill the application form. 

Programme Learning Outcomes

By the end of the programme, you will:

  1. Reflect upon your identity, purpose and values as a leader.
  2. Explore models of personal leadership, including emotional intelligence, to enhance self-awareness and awareness of others.
  3. Develop strategies for effective communication, influence and negotiation with key audiences across academia, industry, policy and wider society.
  4. Build and lead high-performing, distributed research teams, fostering a collaborative culture that values talent and supports shared decision-making and accountability.
  5. Apply foresight and strategic thinking to identify opportunities, mitigate risks, and future proof their research agenda.
  6. Build confidence in developing substantial interdisciplinary ideas that can create wide-scale, impactful change.

Unit 1

Leading the Research and Innovation Ecosystem

Learning Outcomes:

1 - Reflect upon your identity, purpose and values as a leader.
2 - Explore models of personal leadership, including emotional intelligence, to enhance self awareness and awareness of others.

Session Topics:

  • Introduction and welcome
  • Leading research in challenging contexts
  • Authentic leadership workshop
  • Leadership values
  • Developing your pitch

Unit 2

Vision, Influence and Strategic Positioning

Learning Outcomes:

3 - Develop strategies for effective communication, influence and negotiation with key audiences across academia, industry, policy and wider society
6 - Build confidence in developing substantial interdisciplinary ideas that can create wide-scale, impactful change.

Session Topics:

  • Coaching as a critical leadership skill
  • Interdisciplinary research
  • Innovation
  • Pitching and presenting skills workshop

Unit 3

Innovation, Impact and Entrepreneurship

Learning Outcomes:

4 - Build and lead high-performing, distributed research teams, fostering a collaborative culture
that values talent and supports shared decision-making and accountability

Session Topics:

  • Building and maintaining a positive research culture
  • How to align yourself with the culture
  • The business of research
  • Considering your pitch from a business/funding perspective

Unit 4

Leading for the Future

Learning Outcomes:

5 - Apply foresight and stratgic thinking to identify opportunities, mitigate risks, and future proof their research agenda.

Session Topics:

  • Leadership journey and next steps
  • Celebratory lunch
  • Pitch event

Upcoming Dates

The programme is comprised of four individual units that are each delivered through one full day event. The units are delivered by a range of speakers and facilitators with expertise in the subject matter.  

Capacity to attend all the days is a prerequisite of acceptance on the programme 

  • Unit 1: Leading the Research and Innovation Ecosystem
    Wednesday 7 October 2026

  • Unit 2: Vision, Influence, and Strategic Positioning
    Thursday 19 November 2026

  • Unit 3: Innovation, Impact, and Entrepreneurship
    Thursday 21 January 2027

  • Unit 4: Leading for the Future
    Thursday 25 February 2027

If you have any questions about the Academic Leadership Development programme, please don't hesitate to get in touch: ald-qma@qmul.ac.uk.

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