The Improving Leadership Effectiveness by Assessment and Development (ILEAD) laboratory, supervised by Dr. Kristin Cullen-Lester, conducts interdisciplinary research on leadership and leadership development. Our research focuses on relational aspects of leadership, including leaders' social networks and the role of organizational networks in shared leadership, complex collaboration, and the implementation of strategic and large-scale change. We aim to improve development initiatives focused on enhancing individuals’ and teams' human and social capital and to understand how to enhance the leadership capacity of complex organizational systems by enabling more effective collaborative work practices that promote individual, team, and organizational adaptability, effectiveness, and well-being.

Application Instructions

Undergraduate research assistants in the ILEAD lab have opportunities to gain a variety of skills including:

• Research Design

• Project Management

• Study Material Preparation

• Data Collection and Management

• Data Analysis

• Identification of Challenges Facing Organizational Leaders

• Understanding Theoretical Constructs in Management and Organizational Behavior 

• Translating Research Findings into Practical Insights

• Expertise in Teamwork

• Scientific Writing

• Professional Presentation Skills

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Becoming a research assistant in the ILEAD lab is a selective process. If you are interested in being considered please send your resume or CV to Dr. Cullen-Lester along with an email answering the following questions:

1. Why are you interested in working for the ILEAD lab? 

2. What are your plans after graduation (it's okay if you aren't exactly sure, please share your current career goals)?

3. What are your qualifications for working in the ILEAD lab (i.e., what is your GPA? what relevant courses have you taken? what prior research, internship, or work experience do you have? It's okay if you do not have prior experience but please share how you feel you can uniquely contribute to the lab).