Science is a team endeavor—new knowledge and progress are possible only through collaboration. In this program series, you will explore and practice ways to shape cooperation effectively and respectfully, strengthen your communication skills, and step into—and thrive in—a leadership role.

The university system demands great flexibility from its leaders: while you enjoy considerable autonomy, you are also embedded in collegial structures. You will learn to navigate this tension with confidence and poise. In the two-tier Leadership Certificate Program for (Junior) Professors and Junior Research Group Leaders, you will acquire essential leadership competencies and further professionalize your leadership practice.

Content

The certificate program helps junior professors and leaders of junior research groups who are taking on leadership duties for the first time to professionalize their leadership practice. As a participant, you will learn the particularities of leadership in academia—especially within universities—and reflect on your own experiences with and expectations of leadership. You’ll acquire methods for structuring collaboration effectively and stepping into your leadership role with intention.

Through peer exchange and case studies you will explore the limits and possibilities of your leadership and put what you learn into practice through interactive exercises. You’ll pick up tips for communicating across different hierarchy levels and discover strategies for safeguarding your health and performance.

The program broadens your social and leadership skills.

Structure

The Leadership Certificate can be earned in two stages. The basic certificate consists of a kickoff workshop and three core modules. The full certificate builds on the basic one and, in addition, requires at least two courses drawn from at least two of five possible advanced areas, a final workshop, and guided phases of self-reflection and coaching.

The advanced areas include courses and workshops from the regular Scientific Continuing Education and Cooperation (ZEWK) catalog—such as the fields of Work and Management Techniques or Project and Research Management—as well as newly designed workshops, for example on delegating and hybrid work for leaders. Evergreen topics like Self- and Time-Management can also be taken and credited toward the certificate. The program is likewise open to courses offered by Technische Universität Berlin’s Staff Development / Continuing Education office or equivalent programs at the Berlin University Alliance’s training centers; if you have already attended such seminars, please contact us about credit transfer.

We generally recommend following the program in the intended order, as the course content is coordinated and builds on itself. Should you, for instance, be unable to attend Core Module III, you are welcome to take an event from the “Leadership Tools” advanced area and complete the core module at the next available date if you wish to obtain the certificate.

Beyond the course offerings, participants may request coaching sessions. These appointments give you the opportunity to discuss individual concerns with a certified coach; costs are covered only for Technische Universität Berlin participants and only upon application.

The curriculum also introduces methods of self-organized problem solving, exemplified by peer case consultation. Participants are warmly invited to bring their own topics and questions to the courses, which will, of course, be treated confidentially.

The workload for the full Leadership Certificate is 100 instructional units of 45 minutes each, including the kickoff, final workshop, accompanying reflection phases, and any optional coaching. The basic certificate requires 45 instructional units.

Course Dates and Registration

Registration for the kickoff workshop, the core modules, and the final workshop is handled through Technische Universität Berlin's event management system. All events are held on Technische Universität Berlin’s premises.

Please note that currently only some workshops of the Leadership Certificate are available in English. For details and registration click here.