Researcher Development Unit

Researcher Development News

Edition 05

August, 2025

Cultivating research leadership

Although leadership is characterised by your ability to guide others, it is strengthened by your own active pursuit of career and skill development. On the journey to research leadership, there is much to be said for the process of getting there, and making the most of the present moment. With events and workshops coming up that allow you to explore what leadership means to you, there are plenty of opportunities to increase your knowledge and expand the ways you can make an impact.

The Researcher Development Unit's upcoming Research Insights Webinar on leadership will feature a panel on the challenges and opportunities that ECR can encounter, and how to best convey a narrative that demonstrates your strengths. For those who are further up the ladder, our Mid-Career Research Leadership Program is open for applications from researchers who are transitioning to increasing leadership.

For those at every stage of their researcher journey, the Development Opportunities catalogue on the Researcher Development Hub collates research support and development programs from central units, your faculty, and your MDI. Find opportunities to help you to build your track record so that when the opportunities for leadership come, you are well and truly ready for them.

Upcoming core programs and events

Research Insights: Research Leadership for ECRs

Hear firsthand from researchers who have put in the hard yards and gained leadership skills along the way. Learn how to lead effectively early on in your research career and convey this narrative in your applications for funding, promotion or the next opportunity on your hit list.

Hear from:

— A/Prof Christina Abdel Shaheed, Faculty of Medicine and Health
— A/Prof Ben Chen, School of Law
— A/Prof Leigh-Anne Hepburn, School of Architecture, Design and Planning

Wednesday, August 20, 12–1 pm (online via Zoom)

Mid-Career Research Leadership Program

For those who are growing their research and leadership in mid-career, this program is for you. Over the course of three weeks, a series of three workshops will equip you with practical skills to strategically plan your growing research program, efficiently and effectively manage research at scale, and build relationships and lead others.

If you're a mid-career researcher who has recently transitioned to an increased level of independence and leadership, apply now for the Mid-Career Research Leadership Program. This could include leading your own team, funding and/or research programs at a larger scale in size, scope and/or reach.

Applications close August 18, 5 pm

Find out more

Highlight from the Researcher Development Hub

Positioning for success as an ECR: Insights from Sydney researchers

It turns out that on the path to establishing yourself as a researcher, your relationships are everything. We spoke to emerging and established researchers about insights gained on their path to research career success and leadership, and each had excellent advice to give about how to leverage the networks and opportunities they encountered.

“I once took this job where I thought, well, it's a time-limited position, but I sensed that there would be potential opportunities for me to move on to something else. And I ended up working with someone who then enabled me to develop all the research that I've done ever since. I've been lucky, no doubt. But also, I've been willing to take some risks and say, okay, I'm going to try and see where this takes me.” - Dr Olivier Piguet

SEMCAN Good Mentor Awards 🎉

The SEMCAN Good Mentor Awards are now open for nominations!

Sydney Early-Mid Career Academic Network (SEMCAN) wants to recognise outstanding mentors whose generosity, insight, and collegiality have supported your growth.

Nominate a fellow Sydney academic (up to 15 years) whose leadership has helped you thrive in your career. Winners will receive $1,000 and a certificate.

Nomination Deadline: September 1

Award Ceremony: October 15

Find out more

Featured researcher development opportunities

Take your leadership into entrepreneurship and see how far your ideas can reach, or nominate a fellow researcher who inspires you. Check out these programs and more on the Researcher Development Opportunities Finder.

Periscope Commercialisation Award

The PERIscope Commercialisation Award is a funding scheme designed to identify and accelerate promising new ventures and licensing opportunities. Expressions of interest are now open for the 2026 program.

The PERIscope Commercialisation Award has been designed for the researcher community to refine and validate the market potential of their research. The total award funding of up to $61,500 per team is to be used by teams to explore and validate their market, and increase the market’s knowledge of the team, their invention and potential impact.

Applications close August 29

Vice-Chancellor's Awards for Excellence

The Vice-Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence celebrate exceptional performance at the University. The whole-of-University, peer-nominated rewards program recognises impact, leadership, entrepreneurship, mentorship, and industry and community engagement, as well as excellence in research and education.

Applications close August 31

Incubate Pre-Accelerator Program

INCUBATE’s Pre-Accelerator Program is a part-time mentoring program created to support those committed to building a startup or delivering impactful research. Delivered by INCUBATE, the award-winning Pre-Accelerator Program is backed by 1:1 mentorship with industry-leading professionals and facilitated by Program Managers with a wealth of experience in startups and research commercialisation.

Applications close September 7

See all development opportunities

Featured events on the Researcher Training Calendar

GenAI in Research: 101 Fundamentals

Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) is one of the newest and most powerful tools in the researcher toolbox, however many researchers feel uncertain about the ethics and practicality of using GenAI for tasks such as literature searching, summarising, and manuscript writing

This workshop series aims to build skills, knowledge, and capability among researchers in the use of GenAI.

Various sessions throughout August

Giving effective feedback (for HDR supervisors)

This session will explore different types of feedback, varying feedback depending on candidature stage, feedback formats, tactful criticism, turnaround time, feedback on written work, and what to do when students don’t take on feedback.

Wednesday, August 13, 12:30–2:30 pm

Innovation and commercialisation forum for emerging researchers

This event is a great chance for HDR students, Horizon Fellows, EMCRs and emerging researchers at the University of Sydney to hear directly from those navigating their research innovation and commercialisation journey.

Tuesday, August 26, 10 am–12 pm

Introduction to Media Training

Hosted by the Media & PR team, academics and PhD students are invited to attend a one-hour session on how to raise their media profile.

Tuesday, September 9, 12–1:30 pm

Leadership resources from around the University

— The Leadership Academy brings together University leaders so they feel supported, empowered, and equipped to build high-performing, diverse teams at every stage of their career. A range of leadership programs are available to provide development experiences, connecting academic and professional leaders across the University.

— The Leadership Insight Series is part of the Leadership Academy and an opportunity to hear from leaders from across academia, business, government and the community in conversation about leadership, and how it relates to our University values and hallmark leadership attributes.

— The Women's Leadership Programs focus on helping accelerate the careers of talented women to progress into more senior roles and leadership positions.

— The Vice-Chancellor's Sponsorship Program supports culturally diverse women who have potential to move into senior leadership roles.

— For supervisors, The HDR Capability Framework focuses on four key areas of leadership for HDR students.

Resource Roundup

In the Researcher Development Hub resource library:

— Leading a funding bid for a centre or program

— Leading as centre director after award

— Mentoring program establishment pack

— How leaders unlock the power of collaboration podcast

Leadership on the Researcher Development Hub

Help us spread the word on the Researcher Development Hub!

Please share the Researcher Development Hub in your internal channels to connect your researchers with tools and training from across the University!

In Researcher Development Hub Comms Material you will find accessible comms material including short and long copy and square images for your SharePoint or Intranet, plus banners for newsletters, digital screens for your common areas, and easily printable posters.

We appreciate your support!

Keep in touch

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