Leadership in Science
Leadership in Science
Image Credit: iStock.com/deimagine
Being a leader means setting goals together with people and traveling the path toward those goals with them. That is often easier said than done, especially in a work environment as multifaceted as the academic world. Over the course of their specialized careers, researchers receive little preparation for future leadership duties. By the time they receive their first appointment, professors therefore face the challenge of embracing their new leadership role positively and filling it constructively.
Modular program “Leadership in Science”
This is where the modular leadership-development program “Leadership in Science” comes in: it helps professors at the Berlin University Alliance’s partner institutions fulfill their leadership role as effectively as possible. We offer workshops tailored specifically to the needs and interests of professors, enabling you to strengthen and further develop your leadership skills. The program is designed so that both new leaders and those with many years of leadership experience can benefit.
The events in “Leadership in Science” can be booked individually according to your interests and needs. To accommodate the limited time budget of our target audience, our workshops are generally organized as half-day or full-day sessions. Small participant groups allow for an effective and intensive exploration of each topic. Finally, an evidence-based, scholarly orientation and the continuous evaluation of our events ensure that we set the highest quality standards for the professional development of our academic leaders.
Your point of contact for this program is Monika Thiel.
Further information about our certificate, organizational details, and an overview of our trainers can be found on the following pages (in German):
- Certificate "Leadership in Academia"
- Organizational information and admission requirements
- Our trainers
Workshop Dates and Registration
Please note that currently only some of our workshops are offered in English, these are listed below (to register, use the link at the bottom of each workshop description). For our full program, please see our German site.
Superb Supervision
Goals
During this highly interactive training you will work on how you can be the best supervisor possible. Through lots of different exercises and science based theory you will know how you can apply the crucial skills to become a responsible and effective supervisor.
Content
At the end of this course you will:
- know how to foster your PhD candidates into autonomous and self-assured researchers;
- know how to offer your PhD candidates a safe working climate where there is space for their own critical thinking and personal growth;
- know how to apply essential practical skills that will make you a supervisor with a focus on responsible research;
- have developed your own style of supervising PhD candidates.
Method
The workshop blends insights and guidance from the instructor with interactive discussions and brief practical exercises.
Quick overview training programme
Module 1: Relationship with your PhD-candidate
| 01.04.2025: Day 1 09.00 - 17.00 | 02.04.2025: Day 2 09.00 - 13.00 |
| Dealing with expectations | Practicing conversations |
| Safety & trust | Sharing learning points |
| Giving feedback | Homework and wrap-up |
| Listening | |
| Coaching | |
| Friendly consulting |
Module 2: Responsible research, you as a supervisor
| 18.06.2025: Day 1 09.00 - 17.00 | 19.06.2025: Day 2 09.00 - 13.00 |
| Dilemma game | Dealing with conflict |
| Responsible research climate | Being a role model |
| Authorship queries | Actions and wrap-up |
| Your own pitfalls | |
| Dealing with stress | |
| Fear of failure & bias |
Organizational details:
| Date: | Tuesday, 01.04.2025, from 9 am to 5 pm; Wednesday, 02.04.2025, from 9 am to 1 pm; Wednesday, 18.06.2025, from 9 am to 5 pm; and Thursday, 19.06.2025, from 9 am to 1 pm. |
| Venue: |
01.04. and 02.04.: Freie Universität Berlin, 2.2051 meeting room (2nd level, Holzlaube/Neubau kl. Fächer, Fabeckstraße 23-25, 14195 Berlin) 18.06. and 19.06.: Freie Universität Berlin, Room 009 (ground level, International House, Ehrenbergstraße 26/28, 14195 Berlin) |
| Duration: | 2 x 1.5 days (1 day = 8 hours, 0.5 days = 4 hours) |
| Your trainer: | Dr. Louise Mennen & Dr. Tamarinde Haven |
| Participation requirements: |
This event is open for professors, junior research group leaders (Nachwuchsgruppenleiter*innen) as well as experienced PostDocs involved in Ph.D. supervision of the Berlin University Alliance partners. As part of a pilot project between the Berlin Leadership Academy and Berlin Research 50 (BR50), professors as well as junior research group leaders (Nachwuchsgruppenleiter*innen) from BR50 member institutions can also register for this event. |
| Participation fee: | Participation is free of charge. |
| Maximum number of participants: | 12 |
| Registration: | Registration is no longer possible, the event is only on the website for information for participants. |
Leadership in Science: Introduction
Goals
As a professor, there are many different tasks and roles to take on in the day by day business of a university. The spectrum of requirements - from acquiring third-party funding to excellent teaching - is comprehensive. In order to manage these various tasks and to maintain a degree of professional freedom, it is essential to lead and manage one’s team appropriate. The workshop will show you how to implement efficient structures and proven leadership tools to fulfil your role as a leader successfully and sustainably. Moreover, you will have the opportunity to work on specific questions regarding the challenges of leadership in scientific environments. In sum, the workshop aims at professors who wish to reflect on their leadership experience and acquire new skills and knowledge in this area.
Content
- Status quo: Where do I stand as a leader right now?
- Fundamental principles of effective management in a scientific environment
- Overview of leadership theories and practical leadership tools
- Expectation management: responsibilities, expectations, and interests within and outside one’s work group
- Leading through goalsetting - providing orientation and structure
- Transformational leadership – how to appreciate success and to provoke enthusiasm
Methods
In addition to its theoretical input, this workshop relies on participation and interaction to tailor the contents to your needs. Various opportunities for self-awareness and peer exchange allow further discussions of individual questions. All case studies and exercises are taken from scientific and university settings.
Organizational details
| Date: | Wednesday, 02.07.2025, 9 am to 5 pm |
| Venue: |
Freie Universität Berlin, Rost-/Siberlaube, JK 26/122e (Erdgeschoss, Habelschwerdter Allee 45, 14195 Berlin). |
| Duration: | 8 hours (9 am to 5 pm) |
| Your trainer: | Prof. Dr. Uta Bronner |
| Participation requirements: |
This event is open for professors as well junior research group leaders (Nachwuchsgruppenleiter*innen) of the Berlin University Alliance partners. As part of a pilot project between the Berlin Leadership Academy and Berlin Research 50 (BR50), professors as well as junior research group leaders (Nachwuchsgruppenleiter*innen) from BR50 member institutions can also register for this event. |
| Notes: | Please note that this workshop forms a unit with a second event, the "Personalführung in der Wissenschaft: Vertiefung" (see below). To get the most out of the course, we recommend that you attend both events in the same semester. However, if you are unable to attend the follow-up course this semester, you can also attend it at a later date. |
| Participation fee: | Participation is free of charge. |
| Maximum number of participants: | 12 |
| Registration: | Please use this contact form for your registration. |
The Leader as Coach - Coaching-Methods for Professors
Goals
This workshop is designed to provide valuable support for professors like you who wish to guide their team members through complex situations. Coaching as a leader means engaging with your team members on an equal footing, fostering their personal responsibilities, and, consequently, liberating some of your own resources. In this workshop, you will be introduced to coaching as a leadership approach and explore a variety of coaching methods, including active listening, systemic questioning techniques, resource activation, and reframing. The primary focus of this workshop lies in the hands-on practice of these coaching techniques within a safe and supportive environment. You will also have the opportunity to receive constructive feedback. By participating, you will gain fresh insights into leadership, expand your repertoire of behaviors, and enhance your adaptability and poise.
Content
- Insights into coaching as a leadership approach and the associated methods
- Practice sessions and constructive feedback for handling specific leadership situations
- Application and exploration through partner interviews and group discussions
- Collaborative consultations with fellow participants, such as collegial case consultations
Methods
The workshop blends insights and guidance from the instructor with interactive discussions and brief practical exercises.
Organisatorisches:
| Date: | Friday, 04.07.2025, from 09:00 - 17:00 |
| Venue: | Freie Universität Berlin, 2.2051 Meeting Room (second floor, Holzlaube/Neubau kl. Fächer, Fabeckstraße 23-25, 14195 Berlin) |
| Duration: | 8 hours (09:00 - 17:00) |
| Your trainer: | Prof. Dr. Christine Gockel |
| Participation requirements: | This event is open for professors as well as junior research group leaders (Nachwuchsgruppenleiter*innen) of the Berlin University Alliance partners. |
| Participation fee: | Participation is free of charge. |
| Maximum number of participants: | 12 |
| Registration: | Please use this contact form for your registration. |
Inclusive Leadership – Embracing differences for an appreciative and productive work environment
Goals
As a professor, you regularly meet and work with people who are different from you in terms of age, cultural background, gender, economic situation, first language and/or other visible or invisible characteristics. Appreciating differences and similarities in order to build a good and successful working relationship can be difficult, especially when time is limited. However, respecting and promoting the individual and unique strengths of employees in an appreciative and diversity-sensitive working environment can promote wellbeing, collaboration and team productivity.
This event is designed to support you in integrating the concept of “Inclusive Leadership” into your day-to-day university activities. Inclusive Leadership means working cooperatively to achieve goals and including all those involved with their individual experiences, strengths, and characteristics. You will learn how to signal openness, accessibility, and availability and how to gain knowledge about the needs of your employees.
Content
- Input on the concepts of inclusion and inclusive leadership
- Finding the balance between togetherness and uniqueness
- Methods for creating an inclusive and appreciative working environment
- Effects of inclusive leadership on the team
Method
The workshop blends insights and guidance from the instructor with interactive discussions and brief practical exercises.
Organizational details:
| Date: | Tuesday, 23.09.2025, 9 am to 2 pm |
| Venue: | Freie Universität Berlin, 2.2051 Besprechungsraum (2. Ebene, Holzlaube/Neubau kl. Fächer, Fabeckstraße 23-25, 14195 Berlin). |
| Duration: | 5 hours (9 am to 2 pm) |
| Your trainer: | Prof. Dr. Gundula Gwenn Hiller |
| Participation requirements: | This event is open for professors as well as junior research group leaders (Nachwuchsgruppenleiter*innen) of the Berlin University Alliance partners. |
| Participation fee: | Participation is free of charge. |
| Maximum number of participations: | 12 |
| Registration: | Please use this contact form for your registration. |
Leadership in Science: Introduction
Goals
As a professor, there are many different tasks and roles to take on in the day by day business of a university. The spectrum of requirements - from acquiring third-party funding to excellent teaching - is comprehensive. In order to manage these various tasks and to maintain a degree of professional freedom, it is essential to lead and manage one’s team appropriate. The workshop will show you how to implement efficient structures and proven leadership tools to fulfil your role as a leader successfully and sustainably. Moreover, you will have the opportunity to work on specific questions regarding the challenges of leadership in scientific environments. In sum, the workshop aims at professors who wish to reflect on their leadership experience and acquire new skills and knowledge in this area.
Content
- Status quo: Where do I stand as a leader right now?
- Fundamental principles of effective management in a scientific environment
- Overview of leadership theories and practical leadership tools
- Expectation management: responsibilities, expectations, and interests within and outside one’s work group
- Leading through goalsetting - providing orientation and structure
- Transformational leadership – how to appreciate success and to provoke enthusiasm
Methods
In addition to its theoretical input, this workshop relies on participation and interaction to tailor the contents to your needs. Various opportunities for self-awareness and peer exchange allow further discussions of individual questions. All case studies and exercises are taken from scientific and university settings.
Organizational details
| Date: | Thursday, 05.03.2026, 9 am to 5 pm |
| Venue: | Freie Universität Berlin, 2.2051 Besprechungsraum (2. Ebene, Holzlaube/Neubau kl. Fächer, Fabeckstraße 23-25, 14195 Berlin). |
| Duration: | 8 hours (9 am to 5 pm) |
| Your trainer: | Prof. Dr. Uta Bronner |
| Participation requirements: | This event is open for professors as well junior research group leaders (Nachwuchsgruppenleiter*innen) of the Berlin University Alliance partners. |
| Notes: | Please note that this workshop forms a unit with a second event, the "Leadership in Sciene: Follo-up" (see below). To get the most out of the course, we recommend that you attend both events in the same semester. However, if you are unable to attend the follow-up course this semester, you can also attend it at a later date. |
| Participation fee: | Participation is free of charge. |
| Maximum number of participants: | 12 |
| Registration: | Please use this contact form for your registration. |
Leadership in Science: Follow-up
Goals
This workshop is aimed exclusively at participants of the course "Leadership in Science: Introduction" or "Personalführung in der Wissenschaft: Einführung". During the half-day event the concepts covered in the introductory workshops will be discussed in depth. Further leadership tools for professional communication will be presented.
Content
- Elaboration of various topics already tackled in the introductory workshops
- Having "directional" conversations and addressing critical issues
- Selecting employees: The foundation of effective leadership
- On demand: Collegial consultation
Methods
In addition to theoretical units, the event will use interactive methods to make its content applicable to everyday work at universities. All case studies and exercises are related to situations in an academic and scientific working environment. Reflection units and collegial exchange allow for an elaboration of the content in addition to the presentation of theory (including overviews and checklists for participants).
Organizational details:
| Date: | Friday, 06.03.2026, 9 am to 2 pm |
| Venue: | Freie Universität Berlin, 2.2051 Besprechungsraum (2. Ebene, Holzlaube/Neubau kl. Fächer, Fabeckstraße 23-25, 14195 Berlin). |
| Duration: | 5 hours (9 am to 2 pm) |
| Your trainer: | Prof. Dr. Uta Bronner |
| Participation requirements: | The event is exclusively intended for participants who have already attended the course "Leadership in Science: Introduction" or "Personalführung in der Wissenschaft: Einführung" during the current or previous semester. |
| Participation fee: | Participation is free of charge. |
| Maximum number of participants: | 12 |
| Registration: | Please use this contact form for your registration. |