Project management
Project management
23 and 24 March 2026, 09h - 17h
General context
Managing research projects often involves uncertainty, multiple stakeholders, and shifting priorities. Unlike traditional project environments, academic and scientific projects rarely follow a linear path. This course offers a pragmatic, research-specific approach to project management, helping researchers gain more structure and control over their work without losing flexibility. Through a combination of online learning, interactive workshops, and peer engagement, participants will learn to lead projects more effectively and deliver results with greater confidence.
- Apply core project management principles to plan and lead research projects effectively.
- Integrate traditional and agile planning techniques to construct realistic and adaptable project timelines.
- Identify key internal and external stakeholders relevant to the success of research projects.
- Facilitate productive status meetings to enhance team alignment and communication.
- Evaluate project progress and adjust plans to maintain sponsor satisfaction.
- Reflect on personal leadership style to improve team collaboration and communication.
This course follows a flipped-classroom format, designed to balance flexibility with in-depth application:
- Pre-course (6 weeks): Weekly online content and short assignments (±30 min/week) via a collaborative platform. These exercises introduce theory and stimulate reflection on project and stakeholder management in research contexts.
- Live training (2 days): Interactive sessions focusing on practical application through real research cases. Topics include planning under uncertainty, engaging stakeholders, managing expectations, and maintaining momentum throughout the project lifecycle.
- Follow-up (3 months): Participants receive tips and prompts via email, and retain access to the online platform to stay connected with peers and the trainer.
VIB postdocs and last year PhD students, staff scientists, group leaders and experts.
The training was very good, got enough information to start working with it, never looked at my watch during these 2 days, very engaging!
Participant edition autumn 2024
It all went very organic, the trainer picked in on the real life project examples that we gave. It really felt like she knew 200% what she was talking about and let this course pick in on the most urgent needs of the participants.
Participant edition spring 2024
Training was well structured and organized. Our trainer was well prepared, open for discussion and going away from the general flow, if people were bringing extra topics. Was also open to help each person individually even outside the scope/hours of the training. Very positive person and atmosphere.
Participant edition autumn 2023
Trainers
Katia Van Belle
Katia Van Belle is an enthusiastic, positive-minded professional with extensive project management expertise and a proven record of successfully completing initiatives.
She adapts seamlessly to different roles—motivator, critical thinker, challenger, or practical advisor. Her message is clear and consistent: "take action with what you learn." Ownership forms the foundation of her approach.
With creativity at her core, Katia designs engaging learning journeys and training programs. She combines playfulness with no-nonsense practicality, always searching for solutions that fit each group's specific environment. By demonstrating effective work-life balance herself, she inspires the teams she collaborates with.
Commercial Engineer, CIGO, PRINCE2® Trainer, PMP®, PROSCI (ADKAR®), ActeeChange Ambassador, Learning Design.
Program
Day 1
Starting up a project
- The project canvas
- Agreeing on benefits, objective and scope
- Engaging stakeholders from the start
- APPLICATION
Planning the project
- The traditional approach: 2 ways to define your milestones
- Assigning roles and estimating the resources needed
- Visualizing timeline and constraints
- APPLICATION
- Taking into account risks
- The Agile way: turning the devil's triangle upside down
- The hybrid plan: way to go?
- APPLICATION
- Getting the buy-in from partners and team members
Day 2
Executing the project
- From the high level plan to execution: rolling wave plan
- Following up and reporting: the teamboard
- Time-outs and retrospectives
- APPLICATION
- Dealing with issues
- Keeping stakeholders on board at all times
- Having that difficult conversation
- APPLICATION
Closing the project
- Lessons learned
- Celebrating success
- Handing over the result
Practical info
23 March 2026 - 24 March 2026
Ghent - VIB/UGent FSVM II
Technologiepark 75
9052 Zwijnaarde
Belgium
23 March 2026 - 24 March 2026
Ghent - VIB/UGent FSVM II
From Ghent Sint-Pieters station, you can take a bus to Technologiepark. Please check Routeplanner De Lijn for schedules.
23 March 2026 - 24 March 2026
Ghent - VIB/UGent FSVM II
Looking for a custom cycling route? Try the online cycling route planner to easily and quickly identify the fastest, safest and/or most scenic route to any destination in Ghent.
Cycling route planner
Shared bicycles:
Several providers are active in the area.
Take a look at their platforms:
- Indigo Weel Pro app
- Bluebike
- DOTT
- BOLT eBikes
- Donkey Republic
There are also some public bicycle pumps at the park.
23 March 2026 - 24 March 2026
Ghent - VIB/UGent FSVM II
There is only one entrance to Technologiepark. At the entrance, please take a ticket - Parking is only allowed in regular parking spots (for instance in front of the building) and in the parking tower. Parking alongside the roads or in other places where there is no regular parking is prohibited.