The Development Programme for Directors of Research (DPDoR) helps those who are preparing for the role of Director of Research to build leadership capacity; to better understand the complexities of the role; and the nuances of delivering a research strategy and mission in these highly uncertain times.
DPDoR has successfully run for over 15 years as part of a joint initiative between the Chartered Association of Business Schools and the British Academy of Management. During this time, the programme has prepared around 250 senior academics to lead their institutions’ research and navigate the internal and external demands of the day.
DPDoR 2026-27 will take place in person with four interactive sessions taking place throughout the year to support you to develop your strategic approach and build a strong leadership network within the UK business school community.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the programme, you will have deepened your understanding about the role of Director of Research and about the skills, knowledge and behaviours that are important in the role. You will have had the opportunity to:
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Build and enhance the skills and competencies required to be an effective Director of Research
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Understand how the current external research, funding and policy environment affects your strategy for business and management research
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Gain confidence in managing internal pressures, relationships, faculty performance and HR.
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Explore approaches to managing the REF process from strategy, implementation and the presentation of results
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Work towards your professional development and learning objectives in the context of your institution's research priorities strategy
Who should apply?
- Directors of Research
- Those working towards the role of Director of Research
Programme
DPDoR 2026/27 will take place in person in London with four interactive sessions taking place throughout the year to support you to develop your strategic approach and build a strong leadership network within the UK business school community.
Session 1 - Introduction to the Role of the ADR / DoR
Date: Thursday 19th - Friday 20th November 2026, London
Venue: British Academy of Management, Five Kings House, Queen St Pl, London EC4R 1QS
Session One – This opening session introduces the responsibilities, challenges, and opportunities facing Associate Deans and Directors of Research. Participants explore how to navigate strategic and operational dimensions of the role, foster effective research cultures, and lead with shared values and purpose.
Confirmed speakers are: Professor Stewart Robinson, Newcastle University Business School, Chair Chartered ABS Council; Dr Hannah Lynch – Research Strategy Manager, Newcastle University Business School; Professor Max Chipulu, Edinburgh Napier University; Professor Ali Z. Bigdeli, Aston Business School.
Session 2 - Managing Yourself
Date: Thursday 28th - Friday 29th January 2027, London
Venue: British Academy of Management, Five Kings House, Queen St Pl, London EC4R 1QS
Session Two – This session focuses on how to develop your own leadership while managing financial, cultural, and human complexities. The two days combine practical management guidance with reflective leadership development.
Confirmed Speakers include: Professor Chendi Zhang, University of Exeter Business School , Professor Craig Robinson, Kings College London, Kiersten Avery, Anderson Quigley
As Elizabeth Gadd wrote in Wonkhe
‘Research culture is a hygiene factor. We need to set the standard below which we must not fall, rather than making research culture the next big competition in Higher Education. It’s about stemming the loss: the loss of good people (through lack of diversity, poor leadership, toxic behaviours, lack of career paths, recognition, and reward) and the loss of quality (through questionable research practices, closed and irreproducible research), and not a short-cut to gain’.
Session 3 - Developing Our Colleagues
Date: Thursday 4th - Friday 5th March 2027, London
Venue: Chartered ABS Office, 40 Queen Street, EC4R 1DD
Session Three – This session explores how to support others while continuing personal development as a research leader, focusing on inclusivity, mentoring, and personal effectiveness.
Confirmed speakers include: Professor Martyna Sliwa, University of Bath, Professor Damian Hodgson, University of Sheffield, Professor Oliver Mallett, University of Stirling
Session 4 - Understanding Research Excellence: REF, Accreditation & Future-Ready Leadership
Date: Thursday 27th - Friday 28th May 2027
Venue: Chartered ABS Office, 40 Queen Street, EC4R 1DD
Session Four – This final session examines how REF 2029 will shape the future of research leadership. Participants hear directly from current and former REF panel members and explore how to prepare their institutions for the next cycle.
Confirmed speakers include: Professor Siddhartha Bandyopadhyay, University of Birmingham (RDAP, REF 2029)
Session Format
All modules are 24 hour 'lunch-to-lunch' sessions, the usual format being:
Day One:
12:00: Registration & lunch
13:00: Day One session starts
The programme will include break(s)
17:00: Day One session concludes
19:00: Dinner
Day Two:
08:30: Refreshments
09:00: Day Two session starts
The programme will include break(s)
13:00: Day Two programme concludes with lunch after which participants depart
Fees
Programme fee: £4,405
Booking deadline: 5th November 2026, 17:00 UK time
If you are planning to attend the 2026-2027 programme and are awaiting funding, please complete your expression of interest by clicking here.
Note: Due to the nature of the programme which focuses on personal development and encourages frank and open discussion, it may not always be suitable for two participants to attend from the same institution. If we receive more than one registration from individuals at the same institution we will notify the institution and the participants, taking account of when the registrations were received, and ask for guidance on whether one or both can attend in the same cohort. The cohort is limited to a maximum of 20. Once all places are taken, applicants will be placed on a waiting list.
For enquiries or questions, please contact: Ambra Risca on [email protected]
Facilitator
Professor Abigail Marks, Professor of Future of Work and Associate Dean Research, Newcastle University
Professor Abigail Marks is a distinguished research leader with a 30 year career spanning senior academic and strategic roles across multiple universities. Currently Professor of the Future of Work and Associate Dean for Research at Newcastle University, she has previously served as Associate Dean of Research at Heriot-Watt University, and Associate Dean of Business Engagement at both Stirling Management School and Edinburgh Business School.
Her expertise lies in advancing institutional research excellence and shaping national research policy. She serves on the REF 2029 Research Diversity Advisory Panel (RDAP), draws on extensive experience as a REF coordinator, UoA lead, and impact champion, and has chaired funding panels for major international councils including FORTE and NordForsk. A Fellow of the BAM Peer Review College and member of the CABS Policy Committee, she has contributed to UK, and European research agendas, as well as providing evidence to UK and European parliaments.
Her research, grounded in sociology, examines the future of work, financial exclusion, class and occupational identity, and the impacts of technology on working lives. She has led large-scale UKRI and industry-funded projects, published widely, and regularly contributes to policy and public debate.
Alongside her research leadership, Abigail is a qualified coach and mentor, supporting senior academic leaders. Internationally, she has forged doctoral and executive partnerships with universities in Germany, China, and Australia, enhancing the global reach of UK research and education.
Testimonials
“I really valued the community of Research Directors that this programme enabled me to connect with. Sharing experiences in candid conversations made this totally worthwhile.”
Professor Katy Mason, PVC Dean and Professor of Markets, University of Salford
“This has been an excellent experience. A good balance of interesting guest speakers and discussion within the group. I am going away with a more strategic focus and lots of good ideas I can implement within my institution.”
Dr Marian Iszatt-White, Lecturer in Department of Leadership and Management and LUMS Doctoral Director, Lancaster University Management School
“The programme has been excellent and the input and discussion thought provoking”
Professor Helen Shipton, Professor of International Human Resource Management and Co-Director of the Centre of People, Work and Organisational Practice, Nottingham Business School
“This was an excellent programme”
Will Harvey, Associate Dean (Research & Impact), University of Exeter
“This was an extraordinary experience, better than my best expectations!”
Alcino Azevedo, Senior Lecturer in Finance, Aston Business School