Leadership Matters: Building the Future of Czech and European Science

Session 1: Building Open Institutions - For People, Ideas and Excellence

The first session focused on fostering openness and collaboration within research institutions. Marijke Lein, former HR Director at VIB, shared her decades of experience building supportive and resilient environments for scientists.

She emphasized the importance of HR as a partner for all levels in an organization:

“Be a trustworthy partner to ALL levels in the organization - act as a professional and be prepared, keep your eyes and ears open, listen, address problematic situations, and respond to individual needs.” – Marijke Lein, GearUp Partners

Alongside, Pavel Plevka and Eliška Handlířová introduced CEITEC’s Leadership Policy, highlighting practical tools such as evaluation interviews and weekly Leaders’ Lunch gatherings that strengthen institutional culture, trust, and collaboration.

“Leadership is not just about steering research, it is about creating spaces where people feel heard, supported, and motivated. At CEITEC, we use structured evaluation interviews and informal Leaders’ Lunch meetings to build trust, strengthen partnerships, and open doors for collaboration across the institute.” – Pavel Plevka & Eliška Handlířová, CEITEC

Additional perspectives came from Michael Wrzaczek (Biology Centre CAS) and Luděk Brož (Institute of Ethnology CAS), who discussed strengthening international cooperation and shaping culture within research teams.

Session 2: Shaping Research Culture - From Leadership to Impact

The second session highlighted how visionary leadership can translate research into societal and economic benefits. Tomáš Mocek and Jan Brajer from the HiLASE Centre shared lessons from building one of Europe’s most advanced laser facilities, emphasizing values-driven leadership and collaboration with industry. Adam Pruška (ex ETH Zurich, BioVendor Group) spoke about bridging science and entrepreneurship, while Kateřina Komrsková (Biocev, IBT), Vojtěch Kadlec (UNICO Analytics), and Jan Lát (BENEŠ a LÁT a.s.) discussed their approaches to research translation, innovation, and partnerships.

A highlight of this session was a reflection from Tomáš Mocek, Head of the HiLASE Centre:

“Leadership in science means so much more than just managing experiments, developing new theory, or ticking off project milestones - it is about inspiring people, shaping culture, and creating space where bold ideas can truly thrive. At HiLASE, we are working hard to become a genuine learning organization, grounded in our values: Freedom, Responsibility, Cooperation, and Courage. If we want Czech science to be globally relevant and locally impactful, we need to grow a new generation of leaders - curious, courageous, and driven by necessity to turn discovery into real-world impact.”

He also presented the HiLASE Way, describing how the Centre combines technological excellence with a human-centered culture:

“At HiLASE, we believe modern science is a team sport. Researchers, technicians, administrators - all are essential. By living our values, investing in people, and building a culture of trust, curiosity, and courage, we can turn vision into impact. This is what true human-centred leadership means.” – Tomáš Mocek, HiLASE Centre

Jan Brajer, Deputy Director of the HiLASE Centre emphasized the essential role of HR in leadership. From department meetings to one-on-one consultations with leaders, HR provides guidance, senses the team’s mood, and supports problem-solving.

“Good leaders create followers, great leaders create other leaders. With HR as a true partner - providing trust, coaching, and a safe environment - we empower people to grow and create meaningful work.” – Jan Brajer, HiLASE Centre

Introducing the Leadership Academy for Researchers

The afternoon program introduced the Leadership Academy for Researchers, co-developed by STAR Cluster and Czexpats in Science. Presented by Matouš Glanc (Czexpats in Science) and Jana De Merlier (STAR Cluster), the academy aims to equip researchers with the skills to lead themselves, their teams, and their institutions.

Glanc also presented new data from a survey on Czech researchers abroad, showing that over 5,000 Czech scientists currently work outside the country - a huge untapped potential for Czechia. While many would consider returning, barriers such as low salaries, lack of transparency, and weak internationalization remain key obstacles.

“The numbers show us clearly that talent is not missing - it is out there, spread across the world. The question is whether Czechia can create the kind of transparent, open, and motivating research environment that will attract them back. That is why leadership is so important - it shapes not only institutions, but the future of science in our country.” – Matouš Glanc, Czexpats in Science

Jana De Merlier presented the full scope of the Academy - its four modules and the calendar of free webinars starting in October 2025.

Importantly, the Leadership Academy for Researchers is also part of the LASER-PRO Excellence Hub (Work Package 4: Education, Training & Development). This means the entire LASER-PRO ecosystem - from partner institutions to industry collaborators - is warmly invited to join the webinars and activities. By participating, they help to build a new generation of leaders capable of shaping the future of science and innovation in Czechia and beyond.

The Academy’s four core modules cover:

• Me as a Leader – personal leadership, resilience, and authenticity
• My Team and I – motivation, communication, and conflict resolution
• The Institution as Ecosystem – strategy, governance, and research culture
• Practical Skills – grant writing, negotiation, and ethical leadership

Upcoming webinars:

• 01.10.2025 – Self-Leadership: How to Be a Good Boss to Yourself | Filip Kahoun
• 23.10.2025 – Self-Leadership: What the Leader’s Role Really Means in Practice | Jana Puhalová
• 29.10.2025 – Team Leadership: How to Build and Lead a Successful Team | Filip Kahoun
• 14.11.2025 – Team Leadership: Everyday Work with Your Team | Jana Puhalová
• 03.12.2025 – Strategic Leadership: From Vision to Results | Filip Kahoun
• 11.12.2025 – Strategic Leadership: How to Create, Share, and Live Institutional Culture | Jana Puhalová

“Leadership is about people. When we invest in people, we unlock the full potential of science.” – Jana De Merlier, STAR Research & Innovation Cluster

More details and registration: https://www.leadershipinscience.academy/events/

Why Leadership Matters

Throughout the day, discussions circled back to a key theme: strong leadership can be learned and is essential for impactful science. From tackling academic inbreeding to improving HR practices, from building safe and inclusive research environments to ensuring global competitiveness, leadership is the cornerstone of sustainable excellence.

What’s Next

The Leadership Matters conference was just the beginning of an important journey. The community is now preparing follow-up activities through the Leadership Academy for Researchers and the LASER-PRO Excellence Hub, with a shared vision of building a culture of leadership that empowers people, fosters collaboration, and strengthens Czech and European science for decades to come.

We thank all participants and speakers for contributing to this conversation - and we look forward to continuing together at the upcoming Academy events.