GYA-led and supported Science Leadership Programmes and Workshops aim to nurture future science leaders. The training focuses on collaborative leadership skills, and strengthening networks of early-career researchers (ECRs) in world regions and across the globe. The Science Leadership concept builds on the recognition that ECRs, as future science leaders, need adaptive leadership capabilities and strong networks to collaboratively address complex global challenges.
Use the resources on this page to explore how you can use creative, inclusive and collaborative leadership tools.
The GYA offers regular science leadership workshops and supports independent regional Science Leadership Programmes in Africa (ASLP), ASEAN, APEC and in Latin America and the Caribbean.
By loading the video, you agree to YouTube's privacy policy.
Learn more
"The world needs science leaders"
Video length: 2 minutes
This short video introduces the Global Young Academy and its efforts to empower early-career researchers to become science leaders.
By loading the video, you agree to YouTube's privacy policy.
Learn more
Why do we need science leadership?
Video length: 8 minutes
In this video, early-career researches (ECRs) from around the world share their experiences with science leadership training. They discuss the challenges ECRs face, and how science leadership skills support creative thinking and impactful actions, in their careers and in society.
By loading the video, you agree to YouTube's privacy policy.
Learn more
Collective leadership: leading across disciplines and borders
Video length: 8 minutes
The collective leadership model is at the core of GYA’s understanding of science leadership. In this video, GYA members, alumni, early-career researchers in the wider GYA network and facilitators from Inclusive Innovation explain what collective leadership means to them, and how they use this framework to leverage diverse problem-solving approaches within interdisciplinary and intercultural teams.
2022. The Connections article “Defining science leadership for the GYA” outlines the history of science leadership programmes, as well as the aims and methods of science leadership training by the GYA. GYA-Connections-issue-10-DOI-file.pdf. Connections 2022, p. 14-19.
2016. Connections article by past GYA Co-Chair Bernard Slippers on the needs of early-career researchers in Africa and how the Africa Science Leadership Programme addresses these. Connections-issue-4_final_PrintNoBleed.pdf. Connections 2016 (May) p. 28-31.
2015. „Research teams are best formed from a mix of diverse thinkers“. Lifelong learning: Science professors need leadership training | Nature
2014. A Connections article by Catherine Beaudry provides insights on the GloSYS precursor study, which were used as the basis to develop the first African Science Leadership Programme: GYA_Connections_Issue_2_web.pdf. Connections 2014 (May), p. 7-8.
2024. Embracing Global Engagement and Impact: A Global Young Academy story – Global Young Academy. Blog post by Paulina Carmona-Mora.
2023. Inclusive Innovation | Fostering Inclusive Leaders: Designing A New Approach to DEI With The GYA. Blog post by Emma Skipper.
2023. A conversation about building a support network in science | Nature Communications. Conversation with Lisa Herzog, Priscilla Kolibea Mante and Encieh Erfani.
2019. Past GYA Co-Chair Connie Nshemereirwe’s personal growth story “The (Africa) Science Leadership Programme and Me”. GYA-Connections-issue-7-15.05.2019.pdf. Connections 2019, p. 20-21.
Latin American and the Caribbean Science Leadership Programme (Episode 6) – Global Young Academy (Part I)
Latin American and the Caribbean Science Leadership Programme II (Episode 7) – Global Young Academy (Part II)
“Participating in the Africa Science Leadership Programme (ASLP) sharpened my vision for myself as an individual, especially around how I could best contribute to addressing the challenges that my continent faces. Ultimately, this would lead to a change in career, to where I now act at the interface of science and policy as a writer, a speaker, and a trainer. So close to my heart has this programme become that I now sit on its steering committee, which means I can participate in spreading the model across the continent and beyond, and this really gives purpose to my life. It sounds a little cliché but in a few words: the Science Leadership Programme changed my life.”
Expanding the concept of science leadership, the GYA has run several workshop series on Inclusive Leadership. Recordings and resources are available from the latest workshop series – “Inclusive Leadership for Women in Science” – designed in partnership with the facilitation team at Inclusive Innovation.
Finding Balance
In the demanding field of science, young researchers often find themselves pulled in multiple directions, balancing professional ambitions with personal commitments. Identifying and mapping polarities can help to find and manage balance.
Watch the Workshop Recording: Finding Balance Workshop recording here (YouTube)
Worksheets to go along with this workshop: Polarities Worksheet
Strategic Skills for Researchers
Find tools and skills to strategically navigate critical choices that impact your professional and personal lives.
Watch the Recording: Strategic Skills Workshop recording here (YouTube)
Worksheets to go along with this workshop:
