Leadership Academy for Researchers
Learn to develop individuals, lead teams, shape institutions, and build the science culture of tomorrow.
Why Leadership Academy
In science, brilliant ideas and advanced technology matter. But real success comes from people: their ability to inspire each other, work together, and create an environment where discoveries grow and make an impact. Leadership is not about holding a position. It is about taking responsibility, motivating others, and shaping a shared vision.
The Leadership Academy helps researchers take that step. It gives them the confidence and skills to grow as leaders, build strong and diverse teams, and create a culture where everyone can contribute their best. Leadership is not an optional skill. It is the foundation of excellent research. It is not just task management. It means becoming a leader who drives change, connects science with society, and ensures continuous progress.
Do you want to grow as a leader, build strong teams, and shape the future of your institution? Join us and let’s advance Czech science together.
Upcoming events
Case study: How does the HiLASE Centre develop its team leaders?Leadership BitesOctober 15, 2026 – Join us and take a look at a case study from the HiLASE Centre and the story of their Middle Management Academy – a development programme for team leaders, who form a bridge between the centre’s management and the individual teams.Read more ↗︎
Lasers vs. Bacteria: Micro- and Nanostructured Surfaces for Biomedical ApplicationsTechnology Deep DiveOctober 20, 2026 – Laser processing offers a powerful way to tailor the surface of a material without changing its bulk properties. Explore how laser parameters translate into specific surface features and how these properties can influence biological response.Read more ↗︎
Leadership as a Craft: The Core Competencies of a LeaderWebinarNovember 3, 2026 – Leadership is not an intangible talent, but a craft with clear rules, tools and skills that can be learnt. This practical webinar will introduce you to a proven system for day-to-day leadership practice.Read more ↗︎
One-to-one Interviews as a Leadership ToolLeadership BitesNovember 19, 2026 – An effectively led one-on-one interview is the most powerful tool for preventing burnout, building trust and guiding researchers and PhD students. How can such interviews be conducted and utilised to develop the team members’ potential and sense of responsibility?Read more ↗︎
Latest news
Leadership Academy for Researchers Successfully Completes Its Pilot Run
At the end of June, the spring edition of the Leadership Academy for Researchers successfully concluded its nearly six-month journey. Running from 28 January…
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STAR Cluster and ICF Czech Republic Sign a Memorandum of Cooperation in Coaching for Science
Representatives from STAR Cluster and ICF Czech Republic met to sign a memorandum of cooperation that opens up new opportunities for connecting professional coaching…
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Leadership Bites: New Networking Events Series Kicks Off in May
Our new series of morning gatherings is launching to bring together scientists, research leaders, and professionals from innovation environment. Leadership Bites creates a space…
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Comprehensive leadership training programs designed for researchers at all career stages
Community
Join a network of researchers committed to excellence in leadership
Tomáš Mocek – Leadership in science means so much more than just managing experiments, developing new theory, or ticking off project milestones — it is about inspiring people, shaping culture, and creating space where bold ideas can truly thrive. 
Marijke Lein – Trust and autonomy are something that people really value a lot in scientific teams. They want to be considered as good scientists, not needing to be taken by the hand, but able to make their own decisions. This is fundamental for a positive work culture and scientific excellence. 
Pavel Plevka – Our responsibility as leaders is to support the development of every individual in the group, not just those who publish in prestigious journals. Caring for all team members is crucial for overall success. 
Matouš Glanc – If we have a good environment and strong culture, we will attract more talent from outside, bringing expertise from top countries and leading institutions. This can set off a positive feedback loop and contribute to higher impact and competitiveness of Czech science. 
Kateřina Komrsková – My leadership approach is grounded in trust, motivation, and coordination to use and expand the inner strengths of my team. Micromanagement isn’t my style. 
Adam Pruška – A lot of people do great science; that’s not outstanding. What we need is for leaders and institutions to give us space and time not only for hard work in the lab, but also for building networks and developing soft skills. 
Jan Brajer – Thanks to strategic leadership and improved management, the success rate in our projects grew rapidly in just a few years, from 25% to 46%. 
Eliška Handlířová – The people who might benefit the most from the leadership training are usually those most hesitant to participate.