Female leadership for innovative research groups

Leadership skills highly influence team performance, motivation and the potential for innovation in a research group. To create an environment in which a group can thrive requires strong self-awareness, personal development and interpersonal skills. Particularly female researchers can face challenges in being recognized in their leadership role due to systemic biases. This holds especially for early-career female researchers who want to step up and lead within their so-called “sandwich position”.
The aim of this two-day workshop is to provide female early career researchers with effective tools for actively stepping up into a 360° leadership position – i.e., leading in all directions (upward, downward, and lateral as well as oneself). One core focus of this workshop lies on how (formal or informal) leaders can create a fruitful team environment for innovation to become possible. Apart from preparing for a senior leader’s role inside or outside science, this workshop shows how early-career researchers can already step up and lead in a visionary way.

Specific learning content:
• Reflection around unconscious biases and challenges for female leaders in science.
• Developing an authentic leadership style and exploring leadership values.
• Creating psychological safety in diverse group settings.
• Creating an environment of trust to harness the power of diversity in scientific teams.
• Providing guidance for students and team members while strengthening their autonomy.
• Dealing with challenges and taking responsibility in conflictual situations.

Trainer: Dr. Insa Flachsbarth
Dr. Insa Flachsbarth is a business economist by training; she holds a PhD in agricultural economics and has over 10 years of experience as a researcher and scientific project manager in several European and American research institutions and universities. She is also a professionally trained coach for researchers at different career levels. Her coaching and trainings focus on female leadership in science as well as inter- and transdisciplinary group processes. Her workshops are designed to create long-lasting transformative experiences leaving the participants with confidence to create authentic and joyful (work) lives.

Language: English
Max. number of participants: 12