British Academy Elevate Programme - Leadership Stream: key information
An intensive, CPD‑accredited leadership programme for Early Career Researchers delivered through training, mentoring and coaching. Offered annually by application only to a selective cohort of 62 ECRs and Wellcome‑funded researchers.
About the programme
Elevate Programme - Leadership Stream:
An intensive programme to equip ECRs with leadership skills through training, mentoring, coaching and networking. This selective programme is by application only, for a cohort 62 participants per year – from both the British Academy ECRN and Wellcome-funded researchers. The programme runs annually from March – June, with applications opening in September.
Designed specifically for Early Career Researchers in SHAPE disciplines and adaptable to early, mid and late early-career stages, this CPD- accredited programme:
- Equips ECRs preparing for or stepping into leadership roles
- Provides interactive workshops, coaching, mentoring and peer networking
- Enhances CVs and professional experience for employers and funders
Participants will:
- Develop key leadership skills to lead projects, manage teams, and influence decision-making
- Gain practical knowledge in communication, strategic planning, and research management
- Build confidence with techniques to navigate challenges, foster collaboration, and drive change
- Apply tangible strategies directly in their work for meaningful career progression
- Strengthen leadership impact within academia or beyond – whether through policy engagement, organisational leadership, or mentoring
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Delivery format
There will be both online and in-person workshops, specialised training sessions, mentoring, coaching, and networking events.
For those based in the UK, there will be approximately ten in-person training sessions. Each session is one to two days and is in a different location in the UK, so participants will be expected to travel to attend each session.
***Online delivery is available only to those based outside the UK.***
Within nine months of completion, participants must organise an event or activity for the Network (with funding support from the British Academy). provide peer-to-peer mentoring to the next cohort as part of a post-programme requirement.
Impact and recognition
We recognise the importance of enabling participants to showcase their skills and expertise to prospective employers and funders, while also highlighting the value the programme has added to their professional development.
The British Academy Elevate Programme- Leadership Stream is CPD-accredited, ensuring its quality, credibility, and professional recognition. This accreditation helps ECRs effectively demonstrate their expertise to employers and funders, enhancing their career prospects.
For every training session completed from the British Academy Elevate Programme, Early Career Researchers (ECRs) will receive a getTWOit Skills Passport, documenting the skills acquired from each training session.
This structured breakdown will allow prospective employers to clearly assess their expertise and experience, enhancing their CVs and professional profiles. Presented as a micro-credential, the getTWOit Skills Passport will further validate their achievements.
Elevate participants will also receive a getTWOit Skills Passport after organising an event for the Network, demonstrating the impact of their leadership training. This additional credential will showcase the training and learning they have delivered to other ECRs, reinforcing their ability to develop skills in others while strengthening their own.