Effective leaders foster team communication and performance. They communicate their priorities and cultivate healthy work environments. These elements are essential to doing great research with integrity.

The stories of researchers referred to the P.I. Program have reinforced the need for investigators to develop their leadership skills. Yet, there is a lack of research examining leadership and management in scientific research. The Research Exemplar Project sought to identify best practices among principal investigators who conduct high quality, high-impact research and exemplify professionalism and integrity.

We invited nominations of exemplary researchers from across the United States. The selected “Research Exemplars” participated in interviews to identify the practices they employ as principal investigators.