The ReLead2 project was coordinated by the University of Minho, in collaboration with the University of Granada, the University of Padua, the University of Lyon 1, the University of Graz and Vilnius University. The project aimed to strengthen research leadership and career development competences among early-stage researchers across the Alliance.
ReLead comprised two complementary training activities: a Spring School and a Summer School.
Spring School (satellite event)
The Spring School, organised as a satellite event of the 2nd Meeting in Cellular Membrane Dynamics, served as a pilot phase to test content, formats and pedagogical approaches later consolidated in the Summer School. It included the online session “Career Paths in Science”, which focused on leadership development and professional trajectories in research. The session featured invited contributions from James Gould, Director for Postdoctoral Affairs at Harvard Medical School, and Lauren Celano, Founder and CEO of Propel Careers (Boston). It was moderated by Zafira Castaño, President of the IMFAHE Foundation (www.imfahe.org), together with Sandra Paiva (University of Minho).
The Summer School, held at the University of Minho from 7 to 9 July 2025, brought together a selected group of early-stage researchers in an intensive and highly interactive learning environment. The programme was structured into three core modules: (1) Principles of Research Leadership, (2) Managing People and Leading Research Teams, and (3) Careers in Research: Paths and Opportunities. The Summer School featured contributions from Sandra Schmid, from the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub (USA), and Yasmin Dolak-Struss, from Solution Base (Austria), who shared extensive experience in research leadership, career development and innovation management.
The project generated clear impact at both individual and institutional levels. Participants strengthened their leadership, communication and self-management skills, improved their ability to lead research teams, and gained strategic insight into career development. At the Alliance level, ReLead contributed to fostering a shared culture of mentoring and leadership, supporting researcher retention and long-term professional development.
Dissemination through LinkedIn extended the project’s reach beyond the immediate participants, engaging researchers, research managers and institutional leaders across Europe. Overall, ReLead represents a scalable and innovative model for research leadership training within European university alliances, aligned with European University Association recommendations and responsive to emerging needs in research careers.
