Welcome to the McCall MacBain Postdoctoral Scholars Leadership certification, Summer 2025.
We are excited to open McMaster’s doors to postdoctoral scholars from around Canada. Engage with peers, network and develop the skills required to lead with confidence. Last year we received over 200 applications from 9 provinces, demonstrating such a great need for professional development opportunities for postdocs working in Canada. We look forward to welcoming you to McMaster University’s campus (virtually or in person) and hope that you find your experience enduring, enlightening and impactful.
Background
Being a leader is not just a title; it is a skill to be developed. Leadership is fundamental for those that want to succeed in academia or industry. Despite this, many of those in leadership positions never receive any training on how to effectively lead. This 30-hour certification developed by the McCall MacBain Postdoctoral Fellows Teaching and Leadership Program in collaboration with the DeGroote School of Business was created to better prepare postdoctoral scholars for the ever-changing leadership landscape. From learning how to effectively communicate, to reflections on leadership influence and emotional intelligence, postdocs will reflect upon their individual leadership style and will develop the tools to help them become the transformational leaders of tomorrow.
For the second time, the McCall MacBain Postdoctoral Fellows Teaching and Leadership Program is offering a FREE intensive one week offering of the Postdoctoral Scholars Leadership Certification. Open to all Canadian postdocs or postdoctoral scholars working in Canada.
When: Monday July 28th – Friday August 1st 2025
What: 30 hours of leadership training (synchronous and asynchronous content delivery)
How: Synchronous ONLINE (limited spots) or IN PERSON delivery at McMaster University main campus (Hamilton, Ontario)
What to expect
Costs and considerations:
This week-long intensive program is FREE to all postdoctoral scholars. Please note that all in person programming will occur at McMaster University (main campus). Parking and travel costs can be reimbursed to the individual postdoc on a “per case basis” Please speak to the program manager Katie George (georgk8@mcmaster.ca) for further details and cost approval.
Program Leadership goals:
GOAL #1: Provide opportunities for postdoctoral scholars to explore leadership styles and theories as it relates to their personal leadership style.
GOAL #2: Provide opportunities for postdoctoral scholars to practice leadership skills and further develop their personal leadership skills.
GOAL #3: Bridge the gap in leadership skills identified by the Canadian Association of Postdoctoral Scholars, The Canadian Association of Postdoctoral Administrators, and the National Postdoctoral Association.
Deliverables
By the end of this weeklong program, postdocs will complete several deliverables to strengthen and practice practical leadership skills. Deliverables include but are not limited to:
- 90second elevator pitch
- Reflective practice exercise: Personal leadership style (Leadership circle assessment)
- Emotional Intelligence Quotient: complete EQI and reflective practice exercise
- Practical networking (relationship building)
- Peer assessment and review
- Reflective practice: Connect your research to industry using the entrepreneurial leadership theories and models
Applications are now open and close May 31st at 11:45pm
Tentative Schedule July 28th – August 1st 2025
July 27th – Arrival of external postdocs to McMaster University campus. Check into accommodations at the Peter George Center for Living and Learning. Due to differences in flights and time zones all postdocs arriving to campus will have the day/evening to rest and prepare for the week ahead.
July 28th – August 1st all events will take place at L.R. Wilson Hall room TBD (a detailed campus map will be sent to you in advance to help you navigate campus a little easier) Workshops will typically take place between 9-4pm (EST) each day.
Day 1: Monday July 28th Introductions (the organized leader), resilient leaders (navigating the stress of leadership roles)
Day 2: Tuesday July 29th Finding your why (how to convey your research in a meaningful way), Leading with impact (optimizing knowledge translation to coney your research impact)
Day 3: Wednesday July 30th Pitch yourself! Explain your why (Networking, it doesn’t have to be your worst nightmare! Relationship building online and in person)
Day 4: Emotionally intelligent leaders (using your EQI results, apply leadership principles to your daily practices)
Day 5: Leading through entrepreneurship – From academia to entrepreneur (lab to market, how to bring your research impact to policy, industry and beyond!)
*There will be approximately 20-25 hours of in person synchronous delivery of content, workshops, panel discussions, and group collaboration. The remaining hours are dedicated to asynchronous reflection, and completion of deliverables. To receive certification at the end of the week, individual learners must attend ALL in person workshops and complete all deliverables by the assigned date.