LSW to support mid-career research leaders in new cross-Wales programme

The Learned Society of Wales is expanding its work with mid-career academics by supporting a new programme that will give researchers in Wales the chance to develop their research leadership skills.

The Welsh Universities Research Leadership Programme (WURLP) is organised by Bangor and Aberystwyth universities in collaboration with the Society, which will contribute to programme coordination and delivery. It is aimed at people with existing research leadership responsibilities.

As a sign of its impact, feedback from a previous participant was clear that being part of WURLP was essential in helping them reach their current institute research leadership position.

Without the research leadership that is fostered within universities, the potential for our research to make a difference to the Welsh economy and society will not be fully realised, which is why it is so important that we nurture and train our research leaders.

Professor Helen Fulton FLSW, Vice-President, Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, Learned Society of Wales

This focus on mid-career academics builds on our existing work with early career researchers. It therefore marks an important development in the work we are doing to help improve Wales’ research environment.

The Programme will feature five sessions between February and June. The first of these featured contributions from two Pro Vice-Chancellors for Research from Welsh Universities, Professor Angela Hatton (Aberystwyth University) and Professor Helen Griffiths FLSW (Swansea University),and attracted 50 staff from across Wales. This was a clear vindication of the decision to run the programme again this year:

• Leading Research at Welsh Universities
• Leadership Communication within Diverse Research Teams
• Understanding the Research and Impact Landscape
• Diverse Careers in Research – Developing yourself and others
• Improving Research Leadership – next steps