In this solo episode, Ruth Winden, the Careers with Research Consultant at the University of Leeds, shares her insights of designing, facilitating and expanding the range of group-based career development programmes for the university's researcher community.

Over the last decade, Leeds has built a strong track record of creating impactful cohort-based career courses, from "Career Architect", "Career Accelerator", to "Career Catalyst", and now the "Fellowship Accelerator" and the "Career Navigator" programmes. The latest venture into providing peer-to-peer based development is for Research Adjacents, via our new "Research Adjacent Career Conversations" programme.

Here are some benefits of group-based career development programmes that don't get enough attention:

1. Enhanced Support and Connection:

- Group-based programmes foster a strong sense of community and belonging, reducing isolation and making career challenges more enjoyable and less daunting. One participant observed, already after the first session, "I feel less lonely now!"

2. Momentum and Optimism:

- Group members inspire and energise each other, with shared progress boosting everyone's motivation. Witnessing a peer's breakthrough can rejuvenate your belief in the possibility of positive change.

3. Broader Perspectives and Networks:

- Diverse groups bring a wealth of ideas, experiences, and networks. This collaborative environment enriches learning, encourages sharing, and strengthens career management skills beyond traditional one-to-one coaching.

For more information on some of the programmes, head to our website:

• https://researchersupport.leeds.ac.uk/

Here is the link to the promised handout on HOW to design group-based programmes, based on Ruth's workshop at the Career Thought Leaders Symposium in Lisbon in April 2024.

If you want to share comments, thoughts, challenges about this episode, please connect with me. I'm always eager to talk to colleagues about the fascinating world of group-based development! LinkedIn ruthwinden and @ruthwinden on X/Twitter

All of our episodes can be accessed via the following playlists:

• Research Impact with Ged Hall (follow Ged on Twitter and LinkedIn)
• Open Research with Nick Sheppard (follow Nick on Twitter and LinkedIn)
• Research Careers with Ruth Winden (follow Ruth on Twitter and LinkedIn)
• Research talent management with Tony Bromley (follow Tony on