Page updated 23 May 2024
The "THRIVE - Leadership in Research" Programme is a joint initiative between UCD People and Organisation Development and UCD Research in consultation with our training partner (opens in a new window)64 Million Artists. This important programme will contribute to the development of our UCD Faculty members at Lecturer/Assistant Professor and Associate Professor level and supports the delivery of UCD’s strategic plans.
The programme will equip participants with the skills, knowledge, behaviours and confidence needed to realise their ambitions in UCD. Utilising a holistic approach, it provides a significant opportunity for Assistant Professors/Lecturers and Associate Professors across all disciplines to develop leadership and innovation skills in a group environment with peer-to-peer collaboration and networking.
THRIVE has seven key areas for participants’ personal development:
Please continue reading to find out more about the programme modules, format, the application process and key dates.
THRIVE will engage participants in a leadership and personal development programme with access to a strengths-based feedback process, experiential learning workshops, and one-to-one coaching. The programme is built around personal engagement with the strategic aims of UCD’s "(opens in a new window)Rising to the Future 2020-2024" and "Shaping the Future" strategies. The target audience are early- to mid-career members of UCD Faculty from across all disciplines, with a total of 15 places available.
It is intended that participants will be able to consider and develop their competencies across six key areas:
Themes explored through the strengths competency include:
Themes explored through the diversity competency include:
Themes explored through the growth and autonomy competency include:
Themes explored in the managing conflict competency include:
Themes explored in the creativity competency include:
Themes explored in the career development competency include:
The application process for the January 2025 programme is now closed, for your information, the eligibility criteria and 2025 programme schedule are below.
Applications for the next in-take are expected to open in Trimester 1, 2025/26. The application process consists of a completed Expression of Interest (EOI) form and a copy of your CV (Narrative Style). UCD is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and we welcome expressions of interest from all backgrounds including discipline, gender, and ethnicity.
For information on how to prepare a Narrative CV, please visit the (opens in a new window)UCD Research intranet (requires log-in.)
Each application will be evaluated by a designated STEM or AHSSL selection panels comprised of:
In assessing each THRIVE application, the selection panels will take into consideration the 800-word expression of interest form and the Narrative CV. Applications will be assessed based on three key areas: research track record, leadership and management, and motivation to engage with the programme.
Successful applicants will be contacted by the end of November 2024 to confirm their place. Due to the large target audience, the opportunity to provide feedback as part of the application process may be limited.
Workshops will be delivered in-person and online as indicated on the schedule:
| One-to-One with Programme Lead (Online) |
January 2025 |
| Module 1 (In-person) Leadership Foundations
**Please note this module will be held in person on UCD campus** |
22nd January 2025 |
| Module 2 (In-person) Creativity in Research
**Please note this module will be held in person on UCD campus**
|
23rd January 2025 |
| Intro to Coaching (Online) |
30th January 2025, 10am -11.30am |
| One-to-One Coaching* |
January/February 2025 |
| Module 3 Part A and B (Online) Impact and Intersectionality
|
26th February 2025 (Part A) & 06th March 2025 (Part B) |
| One-to-One Coaching* |
March 2025 |
| Module 4 (In-person) Understanding Group Dynamics
**Please note this module will be held in person on UCD campus** |
26th March 2025 |
| Module 5 (In-person) Telling Our Stories
**Please note this module will be held in person on UCD campus** |
17th April 2025 |
| One-to-One Coaching* |
April/May 2025 |
*The one-to-one coaching sessions will take place virtually and the dates will be agreed between the participants and coaches in between January and May 2025 based on everyone's availability
Please note:
“I really enjoyed the programme, it was an opportunity to pause, reflect, and reevaluate my own role as a researcher. I found the shift in the mood of fellow participants very noticeable, from reticent to fully engaged by the close of the programme. It enabled me to move out of my silo and into the wider university community."
"This was an excellent program which gave me the opportunity to take some time out and reassess my goals. It provided valuable information across a range of topics …In addition, it reinforced some important skills like how to manage my time better, saying no to things etc."
" While the context was fantastic, I think the thing that will probably stick with me the most is the group of people on the course. It was great to have the insight from others at a similar academic level yet diverse backgrounds from across the university."
"It has been a really productive experience for me and allowed mental and physical space and time to reflect and plan for the future. I made some significant progress and decisions which have changed the shape of the rest of this year and no doubt the years to come. …Also, great to meet a supportive group of people going through the same experience from so many different perspectives and disciplines. "
"I am really grateful to UCD and to 64 Million Artists for making this opportunity available to UCD Staff. I think it is a GENUINELY VITAL piece of training that, if possible should be made available to more staff members"