SLU, Danforth Science Center to Host Event Examining Leadership in Sports and in Science

Saint Louis University has partnered with the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center for a panel discussion titled Leading Teams on the Field and in Science. Featuring Katie Shields, head women’s soccer coach at SLU and Allison Miller, Ph.D., professor of biology at Saint Louis University and principal investigator at the Danforth Plant Science Center, the two will explore the nature of teams in sports and in science, and what it means to be successful in both.

During an hour-long panel discussion open to the public, Shields and Miller will discuss common attributes and experiences of high-functioning teams, how leaders recruit talented individuals with complementary skill sets, and building a healthy culture that supports growth, collaboration and team success. They will also tackle topics including challenges associated with what it means to be a team player, award/reward structures, developing culture that transcends turnover, the inevitability and importance of failure and more. 

“While it may seem like playing soccer and conducting scientific research is vastly different, the reality is the skills and mindset needed to be successful in both of these fields is very similar,” Shields said. “Each person has their own role within a team and executing that role to the best of their abilities is paramount to the team's success. There needs to be a collective commitment to the team's mission and an individual willingness to relentlessly pursue the mission. The only difference is in soccer that can be tracking back on defense, whereas in science it could be tracking data from research."

“Increasingly, high-impact science is being carried out by large, collaborating teams of researchers from diverse disciplines,” Miller added. “How do we assemble a productive scientific team and develop a culture within that team that supports intellectual curiosity and individual achievement while also simultaneously optimizing everyone to achieve scientific goals? That’s the question we’re trying to answer. I’m a big fan of the SLU women’s soccer team and am really excited to be a part of this event discussing teams on the field and in science, especially when the need for leaders in STEM is at an all-time high.”

Following the panel discussion on leadership on the field and in the lab, there will be a reception at the Danforth Center for attendees to mingle and talk more about the teams they are leading and participating in. Drinks and snacks will be provided. 

The event is free to attend, but registration is required. To reserve your spot, click here. 

What: Leading Teams on the Field and in Science Panel Discussion

When: May 2, 2023 at 3:30 p.m.

Where: Donald Danforth Plant Science Center
975 North Warson Road, Olivette, MO 63132

Who: Katie Shields - Head Women’s Soccer Coach at SLU
Allison Miller, Ph.D. - Professor of Biology at SLU, Danforth Center Principal Investigator

Saint Louis University