In a series of interactive sessions, faculty members and advanced researchers at the University of St.Gallen can gain new insights, get to know innovative tools, and expand their knowledge on Academic Leadership. Drawing from a wide foundation, including from insights obtained in a study specifically considering academic leadership at HSG, participants are empowered and equipped to meet both the potentials and challenges of leadership with new understanding and skills.
Duration: Midday sessions spanning 1.5 hours
Target group: Generally Assistant, Associate and Full Professors as well as Senior Lecturers and Advanced Researchers (Postdoc onwards)
Language: German/English, based on the group constellation. The material will be in German.
Registration: Places are allocated on a first come, first served basis. The individual registration links are below.
The Faculty Development Team is available to answer any questions you may have or to receive feedback: fd@unisg.ch.
The program may be subject to change.
Exploring the seven styles of leadership found at HSG
Monday, 19.10.2026, 12:30-14:00
Excellent research and extraordinary teaching alone are often not enough in daily academic life. Researchers take on leadership responsibility: They lead research groups, coordinate teams, accompany research talent, create collaborations and navigate organizational structures containing a multitude of expectations and interests.
But what does good leadership mean in an environment shaped by high autonomy, disciplinary characteristics and complex decision processes?
A research project on leadership at HSG shows: there is more than one answer to this question. The demands towards leadership vary between Schools and disciplines. Leadership is understood, lived and evaluated in numerous different ways. In addition, there are varying understandings of what defines good leadership.
Our lunch talk introduces the seven "HSG leadership styles" that have been identified. We discuss the assumptions about leadership that they each make, which potential they hold, and which challenges and risks are linked to them. The event invites participants to reflect on own leadership practice, and to gain new perspectives on leadership in research.
Good leadership as foundation for creativity, productivity and positive relations
Thursday, 05.11.2026, 12:30-14:00
Inspiring research results always begin with collaboration: Who does what? By when? And with whom?
Good planning is an important base, but it is not the only factor. How can good leadership create a strong foundation for creativity, productivity and positive relations?
How can we strengthen our team's and our own resilience in light of challenges?
Tuesday, 01.12.2026, 12:30-14:00
Application or paper rejected again? The key player of the team falls sick right before the deadline? Research is not free of crises. What matters is how we deal with them. How can we strengthen our team's and our own resilience?
Learning Among Colleagues
Monday, 07.12.2026, 12:30-14:00
Leadership in research is not learned within seminar rooms, but develops in daily academic life - where research groups are led, research talents are accompanied, conflicts are resolved, cooperations are built, and challenging decisions are made.
From a research project on "HSG leadership styles", it has been learned: Researchers interpret and live leadership very differently. Depending on the discipline, area culture, career phase and organizational surrounding, different challenges and dilemmas arise. At the same time, there is little dialogue on this - researchers are often left alone with their questions on leadership.
Our offer of Peer Coaching enables a confidential space for dialogue among peers. A steady group of colleagues reflects on concrete leadership situations from daily academic life, gains new perspectives and together develops useful ideas for implementation.
The format connects scientific insights and impulses on leadership in academia with the lived experience of participants. Concrete questions and interests of participants - such as team leadership, accompanying research talents, and dealing with conflicts - take center stage.
Peer Coaching enables
• more consciously creating one's own leadership role,
• benefitting from the experience of other researchers,
• developing new strategies for action for challenging leadership situations,
• refining one's personal understanding of leadership, and
• building a strong network for continuous dialogue.
Peer Coaching is open to Assistant, Associate and Full Professors, as well as Senior Lecturers. Colleagues of all Schools are invited to reflect on Academic Leadership beyond disciplinary borders and gain new perspectives for implementation.
The first format takes place within a lunch talk session. We will refine existing expectations and define concrete aims for three further dates in the Spring Semester of 2027, to be determined by the group.
Further events on self- and employee leadership will be offered in the Spring Semester of 2027.
"Academic Leadership at HSG" is a project funded by swissuniversities within the framework of the Just Chances Program and is led by Prof. Dr. Julia Nentwich. In it, HSG-specific leadership challenges are examined and made available in various according continuing education formats at the University of St.Gallen.