Training
Deadline in 16 days
Deadline: November 8, 2026
The British Academy Elevate Programme – Leadership Stream is an intensive, CPD-accredited professional development programme designed to help Early Career Researchers (ECRs) develop the leadership skills, confidence, networks and practical experience needed to progress in academia and beyond. Delivered by the British Academy, the UK’s national academy for the humanities and social sciences, the Elevate Programme combines structured leadership training with mentoring, coaching, networking and practical opportunities to apply newly acquired skills. The programme is particularly suited to Early Career Researchers in SHAPE disciplines who are preparing to take on leadership responsibilities or are already moving into leadership positions.
Requirements: Within nine months of completion, participants must organise an activity for the Early Career Researcher Network with British Academy funding support. Participants must also provide peer-to-peer mentoring to the following cohort.
How to apply: Applications are submitted through the British Academy’s application process for the Elevate Programme – Leadership Stream. Applicants should carefully review the programme’s dedicated How to Apply information before beginning their application.
A quick overview based on the listing. Review the full details below before applying.
No separate application link was provided for this opportunity. Full application instructions are included in the announcement details below — read them carefully and contact the organization directly.
The British Academy Elevate Programme – Leadership Stream is an intensive, CPD-accredited professional development programme designed to help Early Career Researchers (ECRs) develop the leadership skills, confidence, networks and practical experience needed to progress in academia and beyond.
Delivered by the British Academy, the UK’s national academy for the humanities and social sciences, the Elevate Programme combines structured leadership training with mentoring, coaching, networking and practical opportunities to apply newly acquired skills. The programme is particularly suited to Early Career Researchers in SHAPE disciplines who are preparing to take on leadership responsibilities or are already moving into leadership positions.
The programme is highly selective, with approximately 62 participants selected each year from the British Academy Early Career Researcher Network and Wellcome-funded researchers.
The annual programme normally runs from March to June, while applications open in September. Participants take part in a combination of online and in-person activities, depending on where they are based.
The British Academy Elevate Programme—Leadership Stream is a structured leadership development initiative created specifically for Early Career Researchers.
Rather than focusing exclusively on academic research skills, the programme addresses the broader professional capabilities researchers need to become effective leaders. These include communication, strategic planning, research management, collaboration, influencing decision-making, and managing teams and projects.
The programme recognises that leadership opportunities can arise at different stages of an academic or research career. As a result, it is designed to be adaptable to researchers at early, mid and later stages of their early-career journey.
The programme therefore provides participants with both theoretical understanding and practical experience that can be applied directly to their research, academic, professional or organisational responsibilities.
The Elevate Programme is designed around several interconnected elements of professional development.
Participants receive structured training focused on developing the skills required to become effective leaders.
The emphasis is on practical leadership rather than leadership theory alone.
The programme includes interactive workshops that allow participants to explore leadership concepts and apply them to real professional situations.
These workshops provide opportunities for participants to learn from facilitators and fellow researchers while considering how leadership principles can be used in their own careers.
The interactive format can also help participants develop confidence in areas such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving and strategic thinking.
Mentoring forms an important component of the programme.
Through mentoring, participants can benefit from guidance, experience and perspectives that can help them navigate their career development and leadership responsibilities.
Mentoring can be particularly valuable for Early Career Researchers who are preparing to transition into positions where they need to coordinate people, manage projects, influence stakeholders or take greater responsibility for research and organisational outcomes.
Participants also receive coaching as part of the programme.
Coaching provides an opportunity to reflect on individual leadership strengths, challenges and development areas. It can help researchers identify practical approaches for becoming more effective in their professional roles.
This combination of training, mentoring and coaching gives participants multiple forms of support throughout the programme.
The programme brings together a selective group of Early Career Researchers, creating opportunities for participants to develop professional relationships with peers.
The peer network is an important part of the wider professional development experience offered by Elevate.
The British Academy Elevate Programme is designed to develop a broad range of leadership and professional competencies.
Researchers often become responsible for projects involving multiple people, institutions or stakeholders. The programme helps participants develop the leadership capabilities required to coordinate such activities effectively.
Effective leadership requires more than technical expertise. Researchers stepping into leadership roles may need to delegate responsibilities, support colleagues, manage expectations and foster productive working relationships.
The programme provides training relevant to these responsibilities.
Communication is a central component of leadership. Participants develop practical knowledge that can help them communicate ideas, expectations, strategies and decisions more effectively.
Researchers increasingly need to communicate their evidence and expertise to decision-makers both inside and outside academia.
The Elevate Programme helps participants build confidence and skills for influencing decisions and engaging with different stakeholders.
Strategic planning is another important component of effective leadership.
Participants gain practical knowledge that can help them think beyond individual tasks and consider broader objectives, priorities, resources and long-term outcomes.
The programme also supports researchers in developing skills related to research management.
This can be particularly valuable for researchers who are beginning to coordinate larger projects, work with teams or take responsibility for complex research activities.
Leadership often involves dealing with uncertainty, competing priorities, difficult decisions and unexpected challenges.
Through training, coaching and peer learning, participants can develop greater confidence in navigating these situations.
Modern research frequently depends on collaboration across disciplines, organisations and professional networks.
The programme supports participants in developing collaborative approaches and building relationships that can contribute to stronger professional and research outcomes.
The British Academy Elevate Leadership Stream is designed for Early Career Researchers, particularly those working in SHAPE disciplines.
SHAPE refers broadly to disciplines within the social sciences, humanities and related areas, covering fields where researchers study people, societies, cultures, economies, institutions and human behaviour.
Importantly, the programme is adaptable to different stages of the early-career journey.
One of the strengths of the Elevate Leadership Stream is that its benefits are not restricted to traditional academic career pathways.
The leadership skills developed through the programme can potentially be applied in areas such as:
This broader focus makes the programme relevant to researchers who want to translate their research and professional expertise into wider societal and organisational impact.
The programme uses a combination of online and face-to-face learning.
Researchers based in the UK should be prepared for approximately 10 in-person training sessions.
Each in-person session lasts approximately one to two days and takes place at a different location in the UK.
Consequently, UK-based participants should be prepared to travel to the various locations where the training sessions are held.
This means applicants should consider the time and travel commitment involved before applying.
Online delivery is available to participants who are based outside the UK.
This provides an important opportunity for eligible researchers located internationally to participate without having to attend the UK-based in-person training sessions.
Participation in the Elevate Programme does not end when the formal training sessions are completed.
Within nine months of completing the programme, participants are required to organise an event or activity for the Early Career Researcher Network.
The British Academy provides funding support for this activity.
Participants must also provide peer-to-peer mentoring to the next cohort as part of the programme’s post-programme requirements.
These responsibilities provide participants with an opportunity to put their leadership training into practice.
Instead of simply receiving training, participants are expected to demonstrate leadership by organising an activity and supporting other Early Career Researchers.
The British Academy Elevate Programme – Leadership Stream is CPD-accredited.
Continuing Professional Development, commonly referred to as CPD, provides a structured way of demonstrating ongoing learning and professional development.
For participants, CPD accreditation adds professional recognition to the leadership training received through the programme.
The accreditation can also strengthen a participant’s professional profile by providing evidence of structured leadership development.
Participants in the British Academy Elevate Programme can also receive a GetTWOit Skills Passport documenting the skills acquired through the programme.
A Skills Passport is provided for each completed training session, creating a structured record of the professional skills developed.
This can help participants demonstrate specific competencies rather than simply stating that they attended a leadership programme.
The Skills Passport functions as a form of micro-credential and can provide additional evidence of professional learning.
Participants can also receive a GetTWOit Skills Passport after organising an event for the Early Career Researcher Network.
This additional credential can demonstrate the participant’s ability to take the leadership training they received and use it to develop or deliver learning activities for other Early Career Researchers.
It therefore provides evidence not only of participation in training but also of practical leadership and knowledge-sharing.
Professional development programmes can be particularly useful for researchers who are building their academic or professional profiles.
The British Academy Elevate Programme offers several elements that can contribute to a stronger CV.
The programme is therefore structured to provide tangible evidence of professional development that can be communicated to employers and funders.
Research careers increasingly require researchers to operate beyond the boundaries of individual research projects.
As researchers progress, they may be expected to manage teams, coordinate projects, communicate findings to different audiences, collaborate across institutions, secure funding, engage policymakers or contribute to organisational strategy.
Technical research expertise remains essential, but leadership and interpersonal skills can also play a significant role in career progression.
The Elevate Programme addresses this broader professional development need by combining research-sector knowledge with leadership development.
Another important aspect of the programme is the opportunity to become part of a community of Early Career Researchers.
Participants can develop relationships with other researchers who are facing similar career-development questions and leadership challenges.
The requirement to mentor a subsequent cohort further strengthens the programme’s emphasis on creating a continuing professional network rather than a one-time training experience.
The British Academy Elevate Programme is offered annually.
The information provided for this article does not specify a closing date for applications.
Applicants should therefore consult the official British Academy application page for the current application deadline and any updated dates before submitting an application.
Applications are submitted through the British Academy’s application process for the Elevate Programme – Leadership Stream.
Applicants should carefully review the programme’s dedicated How to Apply information before beginning their application.
A strong application should clearly demonstrate why leadership development is relevant to the applicant’s current career stage and professional goals.
Their Early Career Researcher background.
Their research area and connection to the relevant disciplines.
Their current or anticipated leadership responsibilities.
The leadership skills they want to develop.
How the programme fits into their career development.
How they expect to apply the skills gained through Elevate.
Their interest in collaboration and peer learning.
Their ability to participate fully in the programme.
Their readiness to undertake the post-programme responsibilities.
Applicants should also carefully check the official eligibility requirements because programme requirements and application details may be updated for each annual cohort.
Do not focus only on your academic achievements. Show how you have demonstrated initiative, responsibility, collaboration or leadership.
Explain why leadership development is important at your current stage and what you intend to accomplish with the skills gained.
Examples of managing projects, coordinating activities, supervising people, organising events, collaborating with stakeholders or mentoring colleagues can help demonstrate leadership potential.
The programme is also about peer networking and learning. Explain how your experience and perspective could contribute to the wider cohort.
UK-based applicants should take into account the requirement to attend approximately ten in-person training sessions at different UK locations.
Applicants based outside the UK should also ensure they can participate in the required online sessions and complete the programme’s post-completion responsibilities.
The programme is selective and application-based.
Approximately 62 participants are selected annually.
It is designed specifically for Early Career Researchers.
The programme focuses on SHAPE disciplines.
Training combines online and in-person activities.
UK-based participants should expect approximately ten in-person training sessions.
Each UK in-person session can last one to two days.
Participants may need to travel to different locations across the UK.
Online delivery is available for participants based outside the UK.
The programme is CPD-accredited.
Participants receive GetTWOit Skills Passports documenting skills gained during training.
Participants have post-programme responsibilities.
Within nine months of completion, participants must organise an activity for the Early Career Researcher Network with British Academy funding support.
Participants must also provide peer-to-peer mentoring to the following cohort.
Applications open annually in September.
The programme normally runs from March to June.
The application deadline should be confirmed on the current official application page.
For Early Career Researchers seeking to move beyond research expertise and develop broader professional leadership capabilities, the British Academy Elevate Programme offers a comprehensive development experience.
Its combination of training, coaching, mentoring and networking allows participants to work on multiple dimensions of professional development at the same time.
The programme also places significant emphasis on practical application. Participants are expected to use their leadership skills to organise activities for the Early Career Researcher Network and mentor future participants.
This makes the programme particularly relevant to researchers who want to demonstrate tangible leadership experience rather than simply complete a professional development course.
The CPD accreditation and Skills Passport provide additional mechanisms for documenting the learning and competencies gained through participation.
Visit HERE for more information about the British Academy Elevate Programme Leadership Stream.
The British Academy Elevate Programme – Leadership Stream provides a structured leadership development opportunity for Early Career Researchers seeking to strengthen their professional capabilities and prepare for greater responsibility.
Through intensive training, mentoring, coaching and peer networking, participants can develop practical skills in leadership, communication, strategic planning, research management, collaboration and decision-making.
The programme also offers valuable professional recognition through CPD accreditation and GetTWOit Skills Passports, allowing participants to document the skills acquired during their training. Its post-programme requirements further provide an opportunity to demonstrate leadership in practice by organising an activity for the Early Career Researcher Network and mentoring the next cohort.
With applications opening annually in September and the programme running from March to June, eligible Early Career Researchers interested in developing their leadership potential should review the latest British Academy application guidance and prepare their applications carefully.
For the latest eligibility requirements, application instructions and deadline, applicants should consult the official British Academy Elevate Programme – Leadership Stream application information before applying.
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Within nine months of completion, participants must organise an activity for the Early Career Researcher Network with British Academy funding support. Participants must also provide peer-to-peer mentoring to the following cohort.
The programme is highly selective, with approximately 62 participants selected each year from the British Academy Early Career Researcher Network and Wellcome-funded researchers.
Applications are submitted through the British Academy’s application process for the Elevate Programme – Leadership Stream. Applicants should carefully review the programme’s dedicated How to Apply information before beginning their application.
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