From Science to Industry: Project Management & Leadership in Action

As scientific projects become increasingly complex and collaborative, effective project management and leadership skills are essential to turning scientific expertise into tangible impact.

As part of the VISION project, the workshop “From Science to Industry: Project Management & Leadership in Action” brought together researchers and professionals at the Institut Pasteur de Tunis, offering participants an opportunity to explore project management and leadership beyond theory.

Rather than focusing solely on concepts and methodologies, the highly interactive sessions placed participants in realistic situations requiring them to make decisions under pressure, manage changing priorities, address team dynamics, and navigate the challenges of complex projects. Through practical exercises and real-life scenarios, participants explored how project management and leadership principles can be applied in professional and industrial environments.

The workshop was led by Damjana Kastelic, PhD, from the Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), with contributions from Wafa B’chir, PhD, from Connect’Innov, alongside an industry expert. Bringing together perspectives from research and researcher development, innovation and entrepreneurship, and large-scale international clinical project management, the trainers provided complementary insights into the different dimensions of leading complex projects.

The format also encouraged an open exchange of experiences among participants, allowing researchers and professionals to learn from one another and reflect on their own approaches to collaboration, decision-making and leadership.

The workshop reflects the broader vision of the VISION Talent Partnership: connecting organisations and people, facilitating knowledge and experience exchange, and developing the skills needed to help scientific expertise move beyond the laboratory and contribute to innovation and societal impact.