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MPLS Innovation and Leadership Programme (ILP)

Want to better understand your own leadership strengths? Interested in exploring how your own leadership skills can be used to maximise innovation in your research, with industry or through entrepreneurship? The Innovation and Leadership Programme (ILP) is a leadership initiative designed to empower the next generation of scientific leaders.

Innovation Leadership Programme logo

About the Innovation and Leadership Programme

The 5-module core course designed and delivered by a team from Henley Business School provides a blend of online materials, presentations and small group discussion sessions, and aims to develop enhanced skills and confidence in innovation leadership, managing stakeholders and teams, influencing skills and more.

  • Module 1: Leadership and innovation
  • Module 2: The Entrepreneurial Mindset
  • Module 3: Visualising Success: setting goals and identifying success factors
  • Module 4: Managing stakeholders and teams; Coaching and mentoring for success
  • Module 5: Communicating and influencing externally

Review of the Programme

A recent review of the programme gathered reflections from alumni, identifying numerous impacts of the ILP programme. Many alumni highlighted the application of their learning to the process of building successful research groups, seeking funding and exploring potential innovation.

The report highlighted impacts in four key areas: leadership skills, Oxford knowledge, innovation engagement, and networking.

We asked alumni of the programme to complete the following sentence. See their responses below:

You should consider the Innovation and Leadership Programme if…

"You wish to achieve impact through innovation because it will provide you with tools and introduce you to a network of colleagues and collaborators."

"You want your work to go beyond academic publications because it opens your mind to new avenues and opportunities."

"You are starting a research group in Oxford because you'll get many of the tools to help you in building up your team, and a support network to help you along the way."

"You want to build a more structured approach to running your existing group or constructing a fresh one because there is an opportunity to practice innovation ideas and to reflect on your style when interacting with the wider community."

"You want to explore your potential and lead your own journey because this programme brings people with similar mindset together and then you are not exploring alone."

Postcard that reads ' You should consider the Innovation Leadership Programme if you want to create impact because...it all starts with you.'
READ THE FULL 2024 REVIEW OF THE PROGRAMME HERE.

Eligibility

The Innovation and Leadership Programme (ILP) is designed for postdocs, lecturers and academics in scientific disciplines at the University of Oxford.

Course dates and times

This course will next run in March 2025, and applications will open in the new year.

17th March 2025 | 10:00-13:00 (in-person)

19th March 2025 | 10:00-14:00 (online)

21st March 2025 | 10:00-13:00 (online) 

26th March 2025  |10:00-16:00 (in-person)

For more information please contact Dr Catherine Seed - catherine.seed@mpls.ox.ac.uk or register for updates through the following online form.

ILP Masterclasses

The optional masterclasses that make up the full ILP can be taken separately, before or after the core programme, to allow maximum flexibility. Some are delivered over one day and some over a series of lunchtimes, recognising the busyness of researcher's schedules. 

Upcoming Masterclasses:


Hilary - 7th February 2025 - Thriving in Research: core strategic skills and mindsets for research impact 

 A powerful workshop for senior postdocs, aspiring PIs, new PIs, and research group leaders wanting to increase their impact and agility at a strategic time.The way we work and interact with our peers and wider networks, has a huge influence on research outputs and outcomes. This workshop explores a set of core skills and mindsets to help you thrive in research and positively influence your working environment and teams. You will also be able to share your lived experience with peers and participate in focused discussions. 

Booking will open at the beginning of Hilary term at the following link: Thriving in Research

Trinity - 22nd MAy 2025 - Creating Professional and Personal Impact: confident communication 

Presenting one’s work to a variety of audiences is a crucial part of successful research. This masterclass will cover different aspects of personal impact and how to communicate your research effectively. It will include sessions on how to hone your content for different audiences – from specialists to the general public. The workshop will allow you to improve your presentation style, including sessions on body language and voice. The day will include practical exercises (some of which will be filmed) to allow for self-reflection and feedback. 

Booking will open at the beginning of Trinity Term.

Masterclasses on demand

Video recording: How To Apply for Innovate UK Funding - Dr Nessa Carey 

 

The MPLS Innovation and Leadership Programme is funded by the EPSRC Impact Acceleration Account. EPSRC Impact Acceleration Account Privacy notice.

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