Building and Managing Your Research Group: Setting Direction and Leading People, Projects and Priorities

YAs researchers take on group leadership, their role expands to setting direction, enabling the work of others and creating the conditions in which people, projects and the group as a whole can develop and perform effectively. The programme supports participants in developing a deliberate and adaptable approach to research group leadership. They examine how to shape the direction and organisation of a group, clarify roles and responsibilities, delegate effectively and adapt their leadership behaviour to different people and situations. 

The interactive workshop will equip you with:

• Moving into research group leadership: From individual contribution to enabling others and leading the group as a whole.
• Understanding your leadership role: Clarifying roles, areas of attention and adaptable leadership behaviour.
• Shaping research group direction and priorities: Clarifying purpose, future direction and strategic priorities for the group.
• Building and structuring the research group: Designing the group and recruiting the people it needs to succeed.
• Leading people and monitoring progress: Delegating responsibility, adapting leadership and keeping people and projects on track.
• Strengthening your leadership practice: Identifying leadership priorities and realistic next steps.

The workshop begins with an individual digital preparation phase (approx. 2 hours), with additional optional activities.

Date: Wed, 17 + Thu, 18 February 2027, 09:00–15:00 h
Location: online via Zoom
Target group: Postdocs of all research fields of the UA Ruhr universities (max. 12 participants)
Trainer: Dr. Thomas Koch 
Registration deadline: 03 February 2027
Contact for organizational Questions: event@rs.rub.de

Further information and registration