Liderazgo en la gestión de la Investigación en universidad pública chilena

This study examines leadership in research management from the perspective of high-performing researchers at the University of Tarapacá (Chile). The aim is to understand how academic leadership is exercised within contexts marked by institutional pressure and performance demands. A qualitative case study approach was employed, centred on the organisational variable of “leadership” within the university, using semi-structured interviews conducted with eight researchers between November 2024 and January 2025. The findings reveal the use of an adaptive leadership style by research leaders to carry out their academic responsibilities and respond to the challenges posed by the complex environment in which the university operates. The evidence indicates that leadership positively influences the training of new researchers, capacity building, institutional engagement with academic networks, and overall scientific performance. Additionally, structural tensions were identified relating to funding, gender equity, and resource distribution. It is concluded that leadership, understood as a contextual and relational practice, is essential for addressing complexity and guiding scientific management with sustainability and adaptability in mind.