On Thursday 3rd May 2018, Dr. Susan Laverick was invited to address Graduate Institute students enrolled on the 2018 Capstone Projects. The seminar explored the key challenges presented by group work in projects that require an ensemble, rather than individual approach to research.

The Capstone Projects are an integral part of the Graduate Institute’s Masters curricula and give external partners the chance to benefit from independent research and analysis that can, in turn, support the policies and programmes of international initiatives. Recent partners have included the World Bank Group, International Committee of the Red Cross, International Organisation for Migration, World Food Programme, World Health Organisation, UNICEF and Médecins Sans Frontières.

The seminar examined current theory in high performing business team dynamics and suggested ways in which this can be applied to academic research groups. Above all, it contested that the ability of research teams to successfully manage the challenges of delegation, collaboration, co-leadership, conflict resolution, cross-cultural conflict, time pressures and project management can only enhance their value to employers as future leaders in the highly competitive international sector.