Academic Leadership

4-day Masterclass

November 2026, date and venue to be announced

Topics

Leadership Foundations in Academia: Understand the core qualities of effective academic leadership and the challenges unique to the academic context.

Strategic Planning and Execution: Learn how to craft and implement strategic plans that align with your institution’s mission and goals.

Motivating People and Teams: Develop skills in motivating staff, managing conflict, and building teams that can navigate the complexities of academic projects and initiatives.

Change Management: Equip yourself with strategies to lead through change, from departmental restructuring to navigating shifts in higher education policy.

Building a Personal Leadership Brand: Learn how to establish and communicate your leadership identity to enhance your influence and effectiveness.

Why choose this Masterclass?

Labs, -and neuroscience labs particularly- operate under extraordinary complexity with high‑stakes experiments, intense cognitive load, multicultural teams, and constant pressure to deliver rigorous, innovative science. This focused Masterclass equips neuroscience lab leaders with the leadership frameworks, practical tools, and people skills needed to build high‑performing, psychologically safe, and motivated research teams.

Why This Masterclass Matters

In today’s research landscape, great science requires great leadership. This Masterclass translates proven leadership models into practical strategies—combining shared insights, experiential learning of leadership challenges, exercises, and peer‑coaching through action learning—to help neuroscience leaders:

  • Raise self‑awareness to understand themselves and others better
  • Build highly engaged and motivated research teams
  • Communicate clearly and effectively under pressure and uncertainty
  • Lead interdisciplinary and multicultural groups with confidence
  • Strengthen overall lab culture, collaboration, and scientific integrity
  • Navigate complex interpersonal and emotional dynamics common in research environments

The Masterclass features:

Expert Instructors: Learn from seasoned academic and business leaders who bring real-world experiences and insights into effective leadership within academia.

Interactive Learning Experience: Engage in case studies, group discussions, and simulations that reflect real-life challenges faced by academic leaders.

Networking Opportunities: Connect with peers from various institutions, fostering a network of support and collaboration beyond the course duration.

Embarking on a journey to academic leadership is a transformative step in one’s professional life. It ensures that participants are fully equipped with the knowledge, skills, and insights needed to succeed and make a lasting impact in their role.

Professional development through Executive Masterclasses will be transformative: each is designed not just to impart knowledge but also to inspire action and innovation. By participating, individuals will be equipped to lead with confidence, embrace change, and make a significant impact in their respective fields.

 

Instructors and Faculty:

Davide Ravasi, Director, UCL School of Management, University College London, UK

Davide Ravasi has served as Chair of the Organisation and Management Theory at the Academy of Management. His research primarily examines the interrelationships among organisational identity, culture, and strategy during periods of change and how beliefs influence the extent to which change is embraced at the organisational level. 

 

Barbara Wang, Professor of Leadership & Management and Associate Dean at Hult Ashridge International Business School, UK

Barbara Wang specialises in cross-cultural leadership, and she is the Associate Dean for China Initiatives at Hult Ashridge Executive Education. Her research interests are intercultural leadership and management, and she has extensive experience in leadership development and consulting. She is qualified in many leadership psychometric tools.

 

Luigi Pulvirenti, Professor & CEO, Neuroscience School of Advanced Studies

Luigi Pulvirenti is the Founder and CEO of the Neuroscience School of Advanced Studies. A board-certified neurologist and former professor at The Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, California, he brings specialised expertise to his leadership. Recognised with multiple awards for academic leadership, he currently directs the organisation’s global neuroscience initiatives, spearheading the development of strategic intelligence for the neurosciences.

 

Registration Fees: € 1980

Fees include:

Attendance at the masterclass and all learning materials.

Accommodation at the venue, arriving on the first day and leaving on the last day of the Masterclass.

All meals during the masterclass

Tuition-only Registration (no accommodation and meals): € 1150 

 

Application & Registration

The Masterclasses are suitable for all neuroscience and academic scholars with experience and knowledge appropriate to each Masterclass.

Application

After the application opens, you will find the Application Form here:

Application Form

To apply, please include your biosketch and a brief statement describing your reasons for participating.

Once your Application has been reviewed and accepted, you may proceed with Registration. The link for Registration and Payment will be emailed to accepted applicants. Credit card payments or bank transfers are accepted.

There is no specific deadline to submit an Application; admissions are on a rolling basis. When an event is complete, it will be indicated on this website.

 

Cancellation policy

Cancellations received 60 days or earlier before the beginning of a Masterclass will be refunded, less a 15% administrative fee. Cancellations received less than 60 days before the start of an event, and no-shows, are ineligible for any refunds.

 

Venues

Venues include executive training facilities in the immediate vicinity of London, UK, and Venice, Italy, as well as additional venues in other major European cities.