Leadership

Student leader

PhDs Who Excel in Leadership Apply Character to: 

Act with Integrity & Accountability

You navigate complex situations based on ethical principles being mindful of the impact of your decisions. You are accountable for your actions and decisions.  

Drive Innovation & Creativity

You take meaningful risks, seek out new challenges, and shake up the dynamics of your field. 

Strive for Sustainable Excellence

You recognize the character dimensions that underlie your leadership potential and commit to becoming an authentic and effective leader.

Manage Complex Projects 

You propose and deliver viable complex projects while applying project management skills and communicating effectively with diverse stakeholders.

Exercise Temperance

You handle high-pressure or challenging situations with composure and good judgement. 

Apply EDIDA Practices

You continually examine how your positionality influences your perspectives while deepening your sociocultural understanding to advance principles of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Decolonization, and Accessibility in the workplace and community.

 

 

 

  

2024-2025 Schedule 

Exploring GenAI in Research: Ethics and Integrity in the Digital Age

October 28, 2025, 12:30 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. ET *Online*

This is Part 4 of our Fall Spark Series: Exploring GenAI. These 30-minute virtual sessions will explore generative AI from multiple lenses within the 5 pillars of Own Your Future.

In this session, participants will explore the ethical use of GenAI in research, with a focus on transparency, accountability, and the preservation of human agency.

Facilitator: Carson Johnston, PhD Student, Philosophy

Learn about the full series at the link below.

Exploring GenAI in Environment: From Footprint to Stewardship

November 4, 2025, 12:30 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. ET *Online*

This is Part 5 of our Fall Spark Series: Exploring GenAI. These 30-minute virtual sessions will explore generative AI from multiple lenses within the 5 pillars of Own Your Future.

AI is sometimes considered placeless, yet the material infrastructure of digital media technologies includes the screens, programs, apps, and gadgets with which we engage on a daily basis. Accordingly, there has been much justified concern over the environmental impact of AI. In this session we will consider if and how we can practice environmental stewardship alongside AI and related technologies.

Facilitator: Liam Morantz , PhD Student, Theory & Criticism

Learn about the full series at the link below.

Scholars to Leaders: Alumni Discussion on Careers in Sustainability

December 1, 2025, 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. ET; Online/Virtual

Join us for a panel discussion with alumni who have pursued non-academic careers related to sustainability. All panelists hold PhDs from Western and completed the Collaborative Specialization in Environment and Sustainability as part of their doctoral education. They will share the details of their career progression from graduation to their current roles, and provide some helpful tips for job searching, applications, networking, and more!

This event is offered in partnership with the Society of Graduate Students Sustainability Committee.

About the panelists:

Dr. Carelle Mang-Benza earned a PhD in Geography in 2022 and is Senior Manager with Beyond Oil & Gas Alliance

Dr. Michael Thorn earned a PhD in Biology in 2019 and is Quantitative Fisheries Ecologist with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry

Dr. Lindsay Crawford in Biology in 2013 and is Landscape Ecologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada

more Leadership resources for PhDs

Ian O. Ihnatowycz Institute for Leadership (Ivey)

Western Leadership Certificate (Powered by Ivey)

Western Learn to Lead Program

 

Western Sustainable Leaders Program

Leadership Courses and Certificates (Western Continuing Studies)

Western Black Leadership University Experience (B.L.U.E.)