The Postdoc Academy for Transformational Leadership is designed to develop the next generation of leaders in sustainability and transformation research. Applications are now open, and the deadline is 15 February 2021.
The Postdoc Academy for Transformational Leadership provides an intensive high-end training course with four seminars in two years that broaden the research competencies of postdocs and promote their qualifications towards transdisciplinary leadership. The program also offers seed funding (e.g., for stakeholder meetings or proposal writing activities) to small groups of participants, who plan to initiate research collaborations. Through the programme, an active network of current and former participants will also be established.
The programme is an initiative of the Robert Bosch Stiftung in collaboration with four academic centres: Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Leuphana University of Lüneburg, the Stockholm Resilience Centre, and the Dutch Research Institute for Transitions (DRIFT) in Rotterdam. It consists of four seminars (three full days each) over a period of two years. Each seminar will take place at one of the four academic centers and focuses on their respective expertise.
Why run the Postdoc Academy?
The transformation towards a sustainable society requires researchers to contribute scientific knowledge and integrate knowledge from society in order to transfer knowledge into action. Therefore, the Robert Bosch Stiftung and its partners see the need for:
- More and better integration of natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities in sustainability research.
- A better recognition of inter- and transdisciplinary research in academia.
- Excellent, highly competitive researchers who are able to lead inter- and transdisciplinary teams and academic institutions.
Thus, it is important to prepare early career researchers for leadership positions in inter- and transdisciplinary contexts.
Who is the target audience?
Per intake, 20 researchers will be selected. The programme targets postdocs from across Europe who want to make an impact on the transformation towards a sustainable society and advance the complementarity of natural sciences, social sciences, and the humanities through their research. Applicants should consider themselves as intrapreneurs, who act responsibly and initiate positive changes and innovation within their institutions and strive for an academic leadership position. In addition to excellent English language skills and experience with inter- and transdisciplinary collaborative research, their research topic must align with this year’s focus topic 'Pathways for Regenerative Development'.
Application deadline is 15 February 2021.
