The success of team science hinges not only on the expertise of its members but also on effective leadership that fosters interdisciplinary collaboration, trust, and innovation. Yet, traditional scientific training often overlooks the leadership skills and team dynamics necessary for navigating complex, multi-institutional research environments. Without strong leadership, research teams struggle with disciplinary silos, misaligned goals, and ineffective collaboration structures, ultimately limiting their ability to achieve impactful scientific breakthroughs.

To address this critical gap, the Advanced Translational Leadership in Academic Science (ATLAS) Program was launched in 2024 by the Clinical and Translational Science Collaborative of Northern Ohio. ATLAS is a leadership development initiative tailored to the unique demands of interdisciplinary research teams, equipping mid-career and senior investigators with the essential skills needed to lead and sustain high-performing scientific collaborations.

This study evaluates ATLAS using a mixed-methods approach, integrating pre- and post-program leadership assessments, session feedback surveys, and qualitative reflections. Findings indicate that participants experienced significant growth in key team science leadership competencies, including:

Effective communication across disciplines.
Strategic collaboration to align diverse research goals.
Conflict resolution for managing interdisciplinary challenges.
Team facilitation skills to foster engagement and participation.
Moreover, data suggest that leadership training enhances team resilience, equipping researchers with the ability to secure funding, sustain long-term collaborations, and navigate institutional barriers more effectively.

While ATLAS has demonstrated measurable success in strengthening leadership capacity, key challenges remain:

Ensuring long-term sustainability of leadership skills beyond the program.
Embedding leadership training into institutional structures.
Expanding diversity in leadership pipelines to ensure inclusive team science environments.

Addressing these challenges requires institutional commitment, peer mentoring networks, and adaptive leadership frameworks that evolve with the needs of interdisciplinary teams.

This study contributes to the Science of Team Science (SciTS) by providing empirical evidence on the role of leadership development in enhancing team effectiveness, research productivity, and scientific innovation. The findings offer practical, scalable strategies for universities, research centers, and funding agencies to build a culture of leadership that drives high-impact, interdisciplinary research.

Why This Study Matters for 2025 SciTS

Bridging the Leadership Gap in Team Science: Despite the increasing emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration, leadership training remains a missing piece in scientific career development. The ATLAS program fills this gap by equipping researchers with the skills needed to lead high-performing, cross-disciplinary teams.

Enhancing Team Collaboration and Research Impact: Our evaluation demonstrates that leadership training directly improves communication, conflict resolution, and strategic collaboration, enabling research teams to work more effectively, secure funding, and sustain long-term partnerships. Stronger leadership translates into more cohesive teams, accelerated discovery, and greater scientific impact.

Scaling Leadership Development for Sustainable Team Science: To maximize impact, leadership training must be integrated into institutional structures. Our study highlights scalable strategies, including embedding leadership in faculty development programs, linking leadership skills to promotion criteria, and fostering mentorship networks. These approaches ensure a lasting culture of leadership that strengthens team science outcomes across disciplines.