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Reminder: apply for Aurora women's leadership programme by 30 August

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 the Leadership Foundation'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.

The University will fund 10 places on the 2019/20 programme, with Schools and Functions covering the cost of travel for their participants.

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

Aurora combines education in a conference setting, networking, mentoring and on-line resources and involves attendance at four conference days, a self-facilitated action learning set, mentoring by a senior member of University staff, and regular meetings with other University of Reading participants and the Vice-Chancellor to discuss emerging themes.

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.

The dates of the sessions are shown below. It is possible to attend different venues for the different sessions provided that Power and Politics and Action Learning are undertaken in the same location.

If you are interested in applying for a place, you will need to submit an expression of interest, including:

• A short statement (up to 1 page maximum) explaining: what skills and knowledge you would hope to gain by attending the programme; your leadership aspirations for the future and why you believe this programme will help you to achieve them; and how you anticipate you will apply your learning from the programme;

• Confirmation that you will be able to commit to attending the five sessions, identifying which location and dates you would like to attend.
• The supporting statement from your line manager should include a commentary on your commitment to development and the support that you will be provided by your School, Function, or Service.

The expression of interest should be sent to People Development (peopledevelopment@reading.ac.uk) by midday on Friday 30 August 2019. We ask that this document is not sent as a PDF file.

Applicants will be informed by Friday 13 September 2019 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 the Leadership Foundation for a place, delegates must be sponsored by the University centrally.