Leading from the Middle – Transform Your Leadership Skills , 24 June & 1 July 2025, 09:15-13:00

Leading from the middle means having influence – without always having authority. You’re not in charge of everything, but people still look to you for guidance, clarity, and support.

In a research context, that might mean: 

• Supervising a PhD or Masters student while still reporting to a PI 

• Coordinating parts of a project that involve senior colleagues, funding partners, or external stakeholders 

• Offering peer support or informal mentorship to junior team members 

• Taking initiative to communicate your team’s achievements, or advocate for resources, even if it’s not officially “your job” 

You’re a bridge – between your supervisor and junior staff or students, between strategy and implementation, between academic tradition and innovation. You could argue that it’s leadership, without the title. 

This is why we’re hosting a special workshop to transform your leadership approach and make a meaningful impact in your research career. It’s online for two half days on 24 June & 1 July 2025, 09:15-13:00, so we hope you can fit this invaluable training around your other commitments.

Learning objectives: 

By the end of this workshop, you will be able to: 

• Understand the principles and practices of leading from the middle in a research context. 

• Confidently advocate for their own research and career development needs. 

• Effectively support and advocate for junior researchers (e.g., PhD and Masters students). 

• Apply confident communication skills in various research-related leadership scenarios. 

• Articulate and demonstrate the impact of their research and the teams that they lead. 

• Recognise and adapt to different leadership styles. 

Why attend? 

• Enhance your communication, supervision, and stakeholder engagement skills. 

• Connect with peers and mentors who understand your journey. 

• Build the confidence to navigate your current role and prepare for future leadership positions 

Register now and take the first step towards leading from the middle with confidence. 

About the Workshop Leader: 

With over two decades of experience supporting researchers and academics, Dr Katy Mahoney has a profound understanding of the unique challenges faced by early career researchers. She is a specialist in researcher performance and development, accredited by the CPD Standards Office. Katy’s coaching style is known for its blend of humour, storytelling, and heartfelt reassurance, helping clients navigate their professional roles with confidence and resilience. Katy has a PhD in Human Geography, and is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society.  

Target audience: 

All Early Career Researchers (Postdocs) particularly those with junior leadership responsibilities (e.g., co-supervising students). The topics covered will resonate with PhD students and staff across all disciplines – all are welcome.

Date and time:

This is a two part workshop, please ensure that you are able to attend both sessions.

Tuesday 24 June and Tuesday 1 July 2025, 09:15-13:00, Online via Zoom.