Leadership Development for Professors of TU Dortmund University
The TU ACADEMIC LEADERSHIP PROGRAM for professors of TU Dortmund University aims to build and develop leadership skills in order to effectively master the challenges of the academic world. Based on scientific leadership theories1, the development of a personal understanding of leadership and the shaping of the respective leadership role are to be promoted.
New professors are entrusted with a variety of tasks and take on different roles. The range of requirements - from acquiring third-party funding to excellent teaching - is extensive. In order to cope with these diverse tasks and at the same time maintain or create enough room for own scientific activities, the effective management of one's own working group(s) and chair is of central importance.
The program shows professors how they can create efficient work structures and use proven leadership tools to successfully and resource-efficiently manage their day-to-day work in an academic environment.
[1] Antonakis, J., & House, R. J. (2013). The full-range leadership theory: The way forward. In Transformational and charismatic leadership: The road ahead 10th anniversary edition (Vol. 5, pp. 3-33). Emerald Group Publishing Limited.
Basics of leadership: Professors should be able to lead with legal certainty and become familiar with the basic aspects of labor and employment law. In an increasingly globalized world, it is also essential to develop intercultural skills.
The program also aims to prepare participants to communicate and cooperate effectively with a diverse group of employees, students and international partners. Participants should be empowered to foster an inclusive and respectful environment that sees diversity as an advantage.
Promoting management skills and strategic thinking: Another aim is to teach strategic thinking and action. Participants should be enabled to develop long-term goals for their departments and institutes/chairs, to plan and use resources efficiently and to find innovative solutions to complex academic and administrative challenges.
Development of leadership skills: The program is designed to help professors strengthen their leadership skills. This includes improving communication skills, conflict resolution techniques, and the ability to effectively lead and motivate teams and create an inspiring and supportive environment for staff members.
1. Basics
2. Management
3. Leadership
The program is primarily intended for newly appointed professors. However, participation is also possible for all other professors at TU Dortmund University if places are still available.
Parts of the program are binding for newly appointed and first-time professors:
- Newly appointed professors: Introductory seminar and the basic module I (12 h).
- First-time appointed professors: Introductory seminar and the basic module I, basic module II and the final seminar (24 h).
In addition, further elective modules can be taken depending on individual requirements. The mandatory modules should be completed within the first two years of employment
All other professors can participate in all modules on a non-binding basis.
All modules are offered on a regular basis. The number of repetitions depends on demand, which in turn is essentially determined by two factors:
1. the overall number of newly appointed and first-time professors in the respective year, and
2. the demand communicated by the professors.
The offer is evaluated and further elective modules are added as required.
The Academic Leadership Program is scientifically supported by Professor Dr. Jens Rowold (Center for Higher Education, zhb).
In terms of a full range leadership model1, three thematic fields are relevant for the academic leadership development.
All offers and measures are assigned to these thematic fields and methodically include a combination of knowledge transfer, behavior-based training and feedback on one's own leadership behavior.
[1] Avolio, B. J., & Bass, B. M. (Eds.). (2001). Developing potential across a full range of Leadership Tm: Cases on transactional and transformational leadership. Psychology Press.
Modules
The start of a professorship involves a transition phase in which you learn about the basic elements of effective chair management in an introductory event. Management tasks, management tools and the different expectations of a professorship are covered, as well as opportunities to discuss the topic of “Leadership in academia”.
Dates:
Group 1 – 26 June2025, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Group 2 – 20 November 2025, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Group 3 – 11 June 2026, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Group 4 – 13 November 2026, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Place:
Group 1 - Courtyard Hotel by Marriott Dortmund
Group 2 - Parkhotel Wittekindshof Dortmund
Group 3 and 4 - to be announced
Speaker:
Prof. Dr. Anja Frohnen
As a new professor, it is important to know the legal framework for human resources in order to make legally compliant decisions and promote a positive working atmosphere at the chair. In this course, you receive a comprehensive overview of key aspects of personnel law, from hiring to the leaving of your employees, as well as information on what TU Dortmund University expects from you as a manager and which support is available for you.
Dates:
Group 1 – 4 September 2025, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Group 2 – 29 January 2026, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Place:
Group 1 - Parkhotel Wittekindshof
Group 2 - to be announced
Speakers:
Maxie Bethge, Dr. Alexander Bergert
This module deals with the central role of communication in leadership by introducing you to important communication tools that support successful leadership. You reflect on the use of suitable tools and try out strategies for conducting good discussions, particularly on challenging topics such as feedback discussions.
Dates:
Group 1 – 12 September 2025, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Group 2 - 22 January 2026, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Group 3 – 10 September 2026, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Place:
Online via Zoom
Speaker:
Prof. Dr. Anja Frohnen
In the final module, you take stock and derive your leadership principles from the active reflection of your own leadership experience. In collegial case work, you have the opportunity to examine remaining issues and questions together and develop situational solutions. You also develop strategies for the further implementation of the newly acquired knowledge and your experiences in the future.
Dates:
Group 1 – 18 June 2026, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Group 2 – 12 November 2026, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Place:
To be announced
Speaker:
Prof. Dr. Anja Frohnen
Elective Modules
Professional recruiting is a fundamental tool for you as a manager in the academic environment and of central importance in view of the shortage of specialists.
Dates:
6 March 2026, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Place:
To be announced
Speaker:
Leonie Schneider-Ophaus
This elective module emphasizes the importance of a clear strategic orientation for long-term academic success as a chairholder. You reflect on how you can position yourself strategically and effectively represent your ideas and interests to colleagues and in committees.
Dates:
Group 1 – 11 December 2025, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Group 2 – 7 May 2026, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Group 3 – 10 December 2026 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Place:
Online via Zoom
Speaker:
Prof. Dr. Uta Bronner
Fixed-term contracts in scientific research teams lead to frequent changes in the composition of the group, which means that new members need to be integrated quickly to ensure that everything runs smoothly. The success of the working group depends heavily on your selection of suitable employees, using appropriate integration tools and promoting a positive team spirit.
Dates:
Group 1 – 23 January 2026, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Group 2 – 7 May 2026, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Place:
Online per Zoom
Speaker:
Prof. Dr. Anja Frohnen
As a professor at TU Dortmund University, you are crucially responsible for the academic development of your doctoral candidates and postdocs. In this course you develop an individual, practice-oriented supervision concept and clarify your role as a supervisor and your understanding of productive working relationships.
Dates:
16 January 2026, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Place:
Online per Zoom
Speaker:
Dr. Sibel Vurgun
The appointment as a professor opens up new opportunities to shape the teaching and learning culture and to develop innovative teaching projects. In this module, we look at your leadership role in teaching, develop strategies to ensure teaching quality, support the development of your staff's teaching skills and implement teaching innovations.
Dates:
9 January 2026, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Place:
To be announced
Speaker:
Dr. Katrin Stolz, Prof. Dr. Liudvika Leišytė
This module teaches you that conflicts are normal in a professional environment and can affect productivity and the flow of communication. You learn to recognize conflicts at an early stage, moderate them constructively and acquire knowledge of communication psychology as well as conversation and negotiation skills in order to apply effective concepts and tools for conflict resolution.
Dates:
Group 1 – 14 November2025, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Group 2 – 13 March 2026, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Group 3 – 13 November 2026 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Place:
Group 1 - Parkhotel Wittekindshof Dortmund
Group 2 - to be announced
Group 3 - to be announced
Speaker:
Prof. Dr. Uta Bronner
Date:
to be announced
Place:
to be announced
Speaker:
to be announced
As a professor in Dortmund, you are not only responsible for excellent teaching and research, but also for the successful acquisition and management of third-party funding. This workshop offers you the opportunity to strengthen your skills in dealing with third-party funding in a targeted manner.
Dates:
Group 1 – 7 November 2025, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Group 2 – 17 April 2026 , 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Place:
Group 1 - Parkhotle Wittekindshof Dortmund
Group 2 - to be announced
Speaker:
Felix Stehle, Tim Külow
Registration:
You can register for these seminars by telephone on extension -2778 or by e-mail to weiterbildungtu-dortmundde.