Aurora: Women’s Leadership Development Programme Background The Aurora Programme has been designed to encourage women in academic and professional roles to think about themselves as leaders, to develop leadership skills and to help institutions maximise the potential of these women. The programme is run by the Leadership Foundation and aimed at women in academic and professional roles up to senior lecturer level or professional services equivalent (Grade 9, but without substantial leadership experience) who would like to develop and explore issues relating to leadership roles and responsibilities.
Participants need to have the endorsement of their institution and be committed to developing and enhancing their career. They should be ambitious for a career in the sector and interested in exploring leadership and management as one option for progression.
What Aurora Covers The Aurora programme addresses core areas associated with leadership success:
Understanding organisations and the sector;
Developing leadership behaviours, skills and knowledge;
Building networks, coalitions and support processes.
Aurora addresses these areas by using a combination of: development days (four, at approximately monthly intervals); action learning sets organised and delivered locally; self-directed learning that follows the interests, needs and time constraints of participants; and in-house mentoring.
Aurora Champion Paula Sanderson, Registrar, is the SOAS Aurora Champion. Paula is involved in selecting and supporting the participants and in championing women’s leadership in the School.
Selection criteria and process A panel will be convened to review applications, and in this round funding is available for up to 5 members of staff. The successful applicants will be female, employed by the School on the academic or professional support pathways and in roles up to and including Grade 9 / Senior Lecturer level (but without substantial leadership experience). They will demonstrate:
An interest in their own career development and evidence of recent continuous professional development;
Previous management development training;
Competence and good performance in their current or recent role, and give an explanation of why this is a good time for them to participate in the Aurora programme;
Awareness of issues facing women leaders in higher education and at SOAS, and a willingness to work with others in the School to remove barriers to career progression for women;
Ability and commitment to comply with the programme requirements.
Additionally the panel will seek to identify from the pool of applicants a diverse group drawn from across SOAS.
Nomination Form If you would like to be considered for a place on this course, read the information to check you can comply with all the conditions and complete the application form. This should be sent to Serena Yeo sy3@soas.ac.uk or the Staff Learning and Development Office in room 472 by 05 June 2017.
Further information about the programme is available on the Leadership Foundation web pages www.lfhe.ac.uk. If you are unsure of your suitability or wish to discuss the programme please contact Serena Yeo, Staff Learning and Development Manager (sy3@soas.ac.uk) or Kimberly Hovish, Staff Learning and Development Officer (kh37@soas.ac.uk).
Timeline Application closing date: Monday, 5th June 2017
Nomination Form for Aurora Programme 2017-18
Part A - Personal Details (completed by applicant)
Name:
Job title:
Tel:
Email:
Grade:
Start date in current role:
Department:
Line Manager:
Aurora Programme dates The Aurora Programme consists of five interlinked days – four workshops and an Action Learning Set. You are required to attend each of the four development days below plus the Action Learning Set day, so you must be available to attend all dates of at least one of the Cohorts below.
The Leadership Foundation for Higher Education and SOAS have identified the following requirement for participation in the programme. Please tick to indicate your agreement to:
Attend all four delivery days plus an Action Learning Set day in one of the Cohorts;
Meet regularly with a mentor at SOAS (Staff Learning and Development will help you with this if necessary);
Participate in further networking events, briefings at SOAS and further activities to support your personal development;
Participate as a support member for future participants;
Participate in a longitudinal study to gauge the effectiveness of Aurora and provide SOAS with feedback on the programme.
Part B – Personal statement questions (please see the selection criteria)
1a) Describe what you see as being some of the barriers women in higher education face in attaining leadership positions.
1b) What else would you like to see the School doing to address any of these barriers? You may wish to refer to the documents listed on the SOAS Aurora Programme website in formulating your answer. (Max 200 words)
2) Having considered the aims and objectives of the Aurora Programme, please explain why you want to participate.You should include your career aims, how participation in Aurora will help you and your department/directorate, and why this is a good time for you to commence Aurora. (Max 300 words)
3) Explain why you think you should be chosen for the Aurora programme. You should include details about your competence and achievements in your current or recent roles. (Max 200 words)
4) Give two recent (within the last 2 years) examples of activities you have undertaken to support your professional development.Explain what you did, why and what impact you think this has had on you and your department and/or SOAS. (Max 200 words)
5) Give two examples of where you have led and/or successfully influenced/motivated/ engaged others in your work and/or personal life.Please explain what you did and what impact you think your actions had. (Max 200 words)
Please indicate which dates you are able to attend:
London Autumn (12 October 2017 – 15 February 2018)
London Spring (8 March 2018 – 5 July 2018)
As part of the programme, participants are provided with an internal mentor to support their development. List below any member of staff you would like as a mentor if you are successful.
Part C – Line Manager’s Supporting Statement
Please explain how the applicant’s personal and professional development will be enhanced by taking part in this programme. (Max 200 words)
Please explain why this is a good time for the applicant to be considering this programme and the leadership side of their role.(Max 200 words)
Please explain how the Department and/or Directorate plans to support development of the applicant’s leadership potential over a) the next year, and b) beyond; e.g. specific projects, networking opportunities. (Max 200 words)
I have discussed this application with the staff member. I fully support this request and believe it will be of benefit to the individual and the department. I will ensure follow-up discussions take place and will encourage new learning to be assimilated back into the department. I will have a formal planning meeting after the first module (12 October 2017 – London Autumn Cohort / 8 March 2018 – London Spring Cohort) and a formal review meeting at the end of the programme (by 23 February 2017 – London Autumn Cohort / 13 July 2018 – London Spring Cohort). Signed: Print Name:
Date: Position:
