Applications now open for the Aurora Women's Leadership Development Programme

Thursday, 30 June 2016

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. 

It is available for those in roles up to and including Associate Professor or Professional and Managerial Grade 8. More details of the programme, and what each session covers, can be found here. 

Aurora is an ideal leadership development programme for those who are starting to think about moving into leadership roles in the future, but who have some managerial experience. It combines education in a conference setting, networking, mentoring and online 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
• 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.

The University will centrally fund 10 women to attend Aurora in 2016/17, with the request that the School or Service covers the cost of travel to the events for the participants. 

Individuals who are interested are encouraged to make an expression of interest, with a supporting statement from their line manager, and Head of School/ Function agreement. This should be sent to Susan Thornton and include the following:

• 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.