The Institute of Neurosciences of the University of Barcelona (UBneuro) continues to reinforce its commitment to researcher development by promoting leadership skills as a key component of academic success. Beyond scientific excellence, the Institute recognizes the importance of supporting researchers in leading their own careers and in fostering positive and productive environments for the students and teams they supervise.

With this objective, the Institute recently organized a four-session workshop focused on leadership development, led by Alicia Marin Muniesa, from The Sky is The Limit. The program was designed to provide practical tools and structured reflection across different dimensions of leadership relevant to the academic context.

The workshop was structured around four main areas:

  • Leading Yourself, with an introduction to emotional intelligence and the concept of working alliance
  • Leading Others, focusing on communication skills, leadership styles, and effective delegation
  • Leading Your Career, addressing negotiation skills and career visualization techniques
  • Way Forward, dedicated to basic coaching skills, peer coaching practices, and the development of a shared action plan

A key element of the program was the emphasis on building connections among participants. The sessions encouraged researchers to create a cohort alliance, with the aim of fostering ongoing peer support beyond the duration of the workshop. This approach seeks to strengthen a collaborative culture in which researchers can continue sharing experiences, challenges, and strategies over time.

The initiative also reflects the Institute’s strong commitment to promoting gender equality in academia. Previous editions of the program were offered exclusively to women, with the goal of supporting their leadership development in a context where gender disparities persist. This year, the workshop was opened to men as well, based on the understanding that achieving more inclusive and equitable research environments requires the active involvement of all members of the academic community.

In this edition, particular attention was given to integrating a gender perspective throughout the sessions, as well as to identifying strategies that can contribute to more equitable leadership practices and career development opportunities.

Through initiatives such as this workshop, the Institute of Neurosciences aims to support its researchers in developing the skills needed to navigate their careers effectively while contributing to a more inclusive, collaborative, and responsible research environment.