Community
Leadership grows through connection. The Leadership Academy community creates space for researchers to learn from each other, share experiences, and build lasting professional relationships that reach beyond formal training.
We bring together researchers from every stage of their journey. Through inspiring stories, cross-sector networking, and informal meetups, we create space to collaborate, inspire one another, and contribute to the development of science in the Czech Republic.
Leadership Bites
Networking Events for Leaders
Pause, gain new perspectives, and connect with peers who care about leadership.
Leadership Bites is a series of informal gatherings designed for leaders, researchers, and professionals from both the scientific and innovation communities. Our goal is to create a shared space where we can exchange modern leadership approaches and discuss raw, real-world experiences.
What to expect?
Each session offers a combination of inspiration, practical insights, and networking. We start with a short talk by a guest from science or business, followed by an open discussion. This is a dedicated space to talk about the real challenges of leading teams, including the “dead ends” and lessons learned along the way. It is an opportunity to ask questions and connect with others facing similar leadership hurdles in high-tech or research environments.
Event Details
When: monthly, usually 2-hour-long meeting
Who: research group leaders, project managers, and anyone looking to grow their leadership skills in a high-tech, innovation-driven landscape
If you are looking for a chance to gain new perspectives and meet others who care about leadership in research and innovation environment, join us for an informal conversation over coffee with Leadership Bites.
Upcoming Community 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 ↗︎
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 ↗︎
Past Community events
HR in ResearchLeadership BitesJune 16, 2026 – How do we attract and retain talented people in research? How can HR contribute to building a healthy research culture? And what HR approaches really work in research institutions? Join us for the next meetup from our Leadership Bites series, this time focused on HR in research!Read more ↗︎
Strategy vs. Culture in a Research InstitutionLeadership BitesMay 20, 2026 – Should a research institution have a clear strategy? And does “culture eat strategy for breakfast,” or can the two go hand in hand? Join us for the first networking breakfast from our Leadership Bites series!Read more ↗︎
Coaching in Research – How to Manage Conversations, People, and Yourself More EffectivelyLeadership BitesMay 12, 2026 – How can you guide your team members toward greater independence and responsibility? How can you give feedback that is truly helpful? And what can coaching do for you? Join us for the networking meetup in our Leadership Bites series and explore answers with us.Read more ↗︎
Voices of Leadership
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. At HiLASE, we are working hard to become a genuine learning organization, grounded in our values: Freedom, Responsibility, Cooperation, and Courage. If we want Czech science to be globally relevant and locally impactful, we need to grow a new generation of leaders — curious, courageous, and driven by necessity to turn discovery into real-world impact.
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. I believe in empowering people by giving them autonomy, while also expecting them to take full responsibility for their roles. Scientific teams need time, because experiments can’t be rushed. The commercial world, on the other hand, moves faster and is driven by milestones. Yet in both environments, the role of the leader remains the same. To act as a coordinator who guides the team toward a shared vision.