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.
The next round of the ILP will run in Hilary term 2026. To register for updates please register your interest using the following form: Register for Updates
About the Innovation and Leadership Programme
The 5-module core course designed and delivered by a team of leadership experts providing a blend of online materials, presentations and small group discussion sessions, and aiming 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
Attendees of the 2025 MPLS Innovation and Leadership Programme, the final day of which took place at St. Hilda's College, Oxford.
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."
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 Hilary term 2026, and dates have not yet been confirmed. For more information, please contact Dr Catherine Seed - catherine.seed@mpls.ox.ac.uk.
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.
TBC
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.