India, March 5 -- Scientists are often romanticised as geeky specialists working alone in the pursuit of a breakthrough idea. The long-term result is a STEM ecosystem that tends to equate individual science excellence with good leadership; this view needs to change. Just like not every great athlete is an effective captain, similarly, science excellence does not always translate to good leadership. Science research leadership requires authenticity, inclusivity, strategic thinking, and impact that connects science to society.

Good science leadership is contextual and requires capacity building, as evidenced in a 2018 Nature researcher survey. Another 2021 survey of the researchers in Germany's academic system by the European Molecular Bio...