The AIRO Leads Program is AIRON’s flagship cohort-based program for professionals who want to lead responsible AI adoption across research operations.
Designed for people working across higher education and research organisations, the program helps participants move beyond awareness and experimentation towards practical implementation. Through a blend of structured learning, peer collaboration, and hands-on project work, participants build the confidence and capability to identify meaningful AI opportunities, design responsible workflows, and guide adoption in real institutional settings.
This is not a general AI awareness course. It is an applied leadership program for professionals who want to strengthen their judgement, shape practical solutions, and lead AI-enabled change with clarity and integrity.
What the program helps participants do
Participants in AIRO Leads learn how to:
- identify where AI can genuinely improve research-supporting work
- distinguish between AI, automation, and wider process improvement
- design practical, institution-ready workflows and use cases
- build confidence in governance, risk, and responsible use
- strengthen stakeholder engagement and internal buy-in
- lead adoption in ways that are realistic, ethical, and sustainable.
What makes AIRO Leads different
AIRO Leads is built around a simple idea: the best way to develop AI leadership is through practice.
Rather than focusing only on tools or theory, the program helps participants work through real institutional challenges with expert guidance, peer feedback, and structured time to build. Each session is designed to move participants forward, so that by the end of the cohort they have not just learned about AI, but created something useful and ready to take back into their organisation.
What participants produce
By the end of the program, participants leave with a practical set of outputs that support real implementation. These may include:
- a scoped AI use case or workflow prototype
- a governance or risk artefact
- an impact case and measurement approach
- a 30–90 day implementation roadmap
- a clearer plan for stakeholder engagement and local adoption.
What is included
The program includes:
- live workshops led by AIRON experts and guest contributors
- guided build sessions focused on practical application
- peer roundtables and collaborative problem-solving
- frameworks, templates, and implementation resources
- case studies from research organisations experimenting with AI
- structured support to help participants shape and progress their own project
- access to the AIRO Leads Alumni Network after completing the program.
Program format
AIRO Leads runs in small cohorts to support strong peer learning, practical participation, and high-quality discussion.
The program combines short expert inputs with hands-on workshops, structured project work, and peer feedback. Participants are encouraged to bring a real challenge, workflow, or institutional opportunity into the program wherever possible.
The emphasis throughout is on practical progress: moving from problem definition to workflow design, governance thinking, adoption planning, and implementation readiness.
Who the programme is for
The AIRO Leads Program welcomes professionals working in:
- research management and administration
- research development, funding, and partnerships
- research governance, integrity, and policy
- libraries, information services, and digital scholarship
- research IT, digital innovation, and academic technology
- strategy, innovation, and research leadership roles.
Anyone supporting research in an increasingly AI-enabled environment is welcome to apply.
What participants from the first AIRO Leads cohort (November 2025) said
“I can’t recommend this program enough. Lead by committed individuals who are working within research operations and take a supportive and practical approach it provides a welcoming environment to develop your AI skills and experiences while building your network.”
“Participating in the AI Lead Program in Research Operations was a truly enriching experience. I came away with many valuable ideas—some long-term and others I’m already putting into practice. The program gave me clarity, inspiration, and the tools to keep driving innovation in my work.”
AIRO Leads Alumni Network
The AIRO Leads experience continues beyond the cohort. Graduates join an international alumni network for ongoing learning, practical exchange, and connection with peers leading AI adoption across research organisations.
Learn more about the AIRO Leads Alumni Network.
Join the Next Cohort
The program runs in cohorts to support strong collaboration, meaningful discussion, and practical progress.
Places are limited in order to maintain a high-quality experience.
Join the waitlist to receive early access to future cohort announcements, programme details, and application information.
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