As part of the Rosalind Franklin Women in Wheat Champions programme, we welcomed twenty-nine early-career female wheat researchers from twelve different organisations to undertake female leadership training at our Dorothea de Winton Field Station.

Delivered as two separate interactive workshops in early 2025, the training was facilitated by two groups of exceptional trainers from hfp consulting. Within each workshop, participants explored a broad range of concepts essential to becoming an effective scientific leader, including active listening, time management, delegation, and conflict resolution. Participants were encouraged to shape each workshop agenda by choosing to delve deeper into the topics most relevant to their individual needs, particularly those with the greatest potential to enhance their leadership and teamwork aptitudes.

When asked why this training programme was selected, Professor Diane Saunders, group leader and lead of the Rosalind Franklin Women in Wheat Champions programme, shared: “Having taken leadership courses with hfp consulting when starting my own lab, I know just how valuable these opportunities are in developing the skills needed to lead a research team effectively and with confidence.”

Participants found the interactive nature of the training workshops particularly powerful. Trainers and participants alike shared real-life leadership challenges, creating a workshop atmosphere rich in authenticity and reflection. Césarée Morier-Gxoyiya, postgraduate research student from the John Innes Centre, commented: “Participating in a learning environment that fostered honesty and encouraged vulnerability was very helpful. It highlighted that many of our challenges are shared, and promoted open discussions around which strategies would be most effective to further develop our leadership capabilities.”

Each course also provided an excellent opportunity for networking with fellow participants. Dr Manel Othmeni, a participant from the University of Nottingham, reflected: “It was one of the best courses I have attended! I learnt a lot and had the opportunity to meet a fantastic and inspiring group of female researchers.” Another participant added how “being in a group of competent and driven women was highly inspiring and fun!”

Looking ahead, it is hoped many of the women taking part in these courses will reconvene at JIC and TSL for the Rosalind Franklin Women in Wheat Champions cross-institute career development and networking workshop in July 2025. Professor Diane Saunders noted: “This annual workshop is yet another great opportunity to continue to empower these women with skills, guidance and support as they transition with their careers. We are helping to enrich the whole community as we progress towards our shared goal of addressing the current lack of gender parity in independent academic positions within the wheat research field.”

Beyond the in-person sessions, participants will remain connected through ongoing scientific peer groups. These provide a supportive space for open dialogue on both professional and personal topics, with peer-coaching encouraged. The aim is to foster continued growth through shared insight on areas such as career progression, grant writing, budgeting, and navigating workplace challenges, while offering mutual support.

Professor Diane Saunders concluded: “I am extremely grateful to BBSRC for enabling this amazing career development opportunity for so many of our hugely inspiring and exceptionally talented early-career female researchers across the wheat community. I can’t wait to hear about their experiences in implementing these valuable new skills!”

The leadership training provided by hfp consulting was funded by the UKRI Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) grant number APP44128. The Rosalind Franklin Women in Wheat Champions programme is funded by BBSRC and The Royal Society.