Aurora Women's Leadership Development Programme 2024/25

Participation in the programme will involve attending a series of development days and action learning sets, as well as opportunities to network with women at Liverpool Hope who are participating, or have participated, in the Aurora programme.

All Aurora sessions are now be delivered online, with one face to face event in Leeds. 

What is Aurora?

Aurora is a unique partnership bringing together leadership experts and higher education institutions to take positive action to address the under-representation of women in leadership positions within the Higher Education sector. The programme aims to enable women in academic and professional services roles to envision themselves as future leaders, equipping them to influence institutional direction and cultivate essential leadership capabilities.

As part of our core values, we are dedicated to fostering an environment that supports women in reaching their fullest potential. By collaborating across academic and professional services, we aim to nurture future leaders and ensure that all women have the opportunities and resources they need to succeed.

Aurora Leadership programme 2024/25: Developing women leaders at Liverpool Hope

Participation in the programme will involve attending a series of development days and action learning sets, as well as opportunities to network with women at Liverpool Hope who are participating, or have participated, in the Aurora programme.

2024/25 Cohort Dates

Advance HE have confirmed that their Aurora initiative will run online for 2024/25. 

Liverpool Hope will be participating in the January 2025 intake, as part of North of England cohort ONLY, so staff must be able to attend the following dates and times:

The expectation is that applicants are able to attend ALL sessions – while they do not take up the whole day, participants are strongly encouraged to block out the day for their personal development, and to make the most of the programme.

Who can apply?

Aurora is for staff who identify as women  (Academic and Professional Services) up to and including Grade 8. They are invited to apply for a place on this year’s programme which will be delivered on-line commencing in January 2025.

Participants are required to have endorsement from their line manager and be committed to developing and enhancing their career.

Participants will be asked to:

• attend the introduction webinar which will introduce the aims and objectives of Aurora as well as the Action Learning Set Groups;
• attend each of the four development days, and the two action learning set days organised by participants in their assigned groups;
• undertake self-directed learning throughout Aurora, aligned with developing interests and where time allows;
• commit to finding and working with a mentor (with the support from the Aurora champion); be prepared to access leadership opportunities and to champion for change.

Aurora Application form 2024-2025

Staff must complete the above application form and submit it to Shauna Anton in People Services on antons@hope.ac.uk

The deadline for applications is Friday 1st November 2024.

Selection Process

Applications are invited from women who feel they would benefit from taking part in the programme. The Aurora Application Form below should be completed, supported and signed by the line manager and returned to the University’s Aurora Champion, Shauna Anton on antons@hope.ac.uk

Mentors

Aurora participants are required to have a mentor to support and guide them throughout and after the end of the formal learning process. Mentors may be any gender, and should be well-established and knowledgeable members of the institution who will usually be more senior than the Aurora participant.

Mentors will:

• Be considered successful in their careers;
• Be knowledgeable and experienced in their organisation and understand its culture;
• Have sufficient time available to work with the mentee;
• Have the endorsement of their Aurora champion;
• Have sufficient general higher education experience to be able to offer advice and support;
• Be a good listener;
• Have a genuine interest in helping women to develop their careers and particularly support his/her mentee;
• Have a supportive or ‘coaching style’ of communication.