Applications invited for Aurora leadership programme

The University is committed to developing an institution where everyone can fulfil their full potential. As part of our investment in developing a diverse leadership, we offer colleagues places on a range of programmes. One such programme is Aurora.

Aurora is Advance HE’s women-only leadership development initiative. It aims to encourage women in higher education to think of themselves as leaders and to develop leadership skills. If you are starting to think of moving into a leadership role, and have some managerial experience, the programme offers an ideal opportunity for development.

Dr Carol McAnally, a Senior Business Relationship Manager in the Knowledge Transfer Centre is a previous delegate and says “Aurora afforded me the opportunity to explore what kind of leader I wanted to be, and how capable I am of achieving this.”

Suzy Tutchell, a lecturer in the Institute of Education, says of the programme: “It was really inspiring and empowering to meet such a wide range of other female academics and compare stories, experiences and discuss similar aspirations”.

To apply, you should be in a role up to and including Associate Professor or Professional and Managerial Grade 8.

Aurora is a mix of development days, action learning sets and online resources, and includes mentoring by a senior member of University staff.

Advance HE has recognised that running the ‘core’ Aurora content virtually over the last two years has provided greater access for many, and they will continue to offer the majority of Aurora virtually for 2022/23.

In addition, following a strong uptake in face-to-face events this year, an in-person event has been added for each cohort towards the end of the programme, and will be available to book from the start of the year. This event will build on this year’s sessions and will complete the Aurora journey from “me to us.”

With this in mind, we recommend that you select a cohort by the face-to-face location that you would like to attend to ensure that you get an opportunity to meet with the peers that are on your cohort. Travel costs for this event are met from your departmental budget.

The programme will enable you to:

• Learn - Tools, techniques and strategies from a team of leadership experts, guest speakers & online resources
• Develop - Leadership skills through experiential processes, reflection and conversations
• Network - Meet delegates through five live online development days with interactive breakout sessions and two action learning set meetings
• Connect - With a UK wide network and niche groups through a members only group
• Grow - Supported by a mentor within UoR.

Aurora addresses core areas associated with future leadership success including:

• Understanding organisations and the sector;
• Developing leadership behaviours, skills and knowledge
• Identifying and overcoming barriers and obstacles;
• Growing confidence and a leadership identity; and
• Building networks, coalitions, and support processes.

Please download this Word file for session dates and locations.

Application process

If you are interested in applying for a place, please complete the Aurora 2022 application form.

The application form should be sent to People Development by midday on Friday 12 August 2022. We ask that this form remains as a Word document and is not sent as a PDF file.

Applicants will be informed by early September if they have been successful.

A panel is convened to consider which applicants will be given a sponsored place, and the decision of its members is final. As the programme is usually very popular, this does mean that unfortunately some applicants will be disappointed. Please note, it is not open to individuals to apply direct to Advance HE for a place, delegates must be sponsored by the University centrally