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Aurora
Aurora - Women Only Leadership Ignition Programme
AURORA IN BRIEF
- Next Call - Summer 2024
- For more information - Briefing Session of 21 July 2023 > Aurora Information Session
1. What is Aurora?
Aurora is the women-only online leadership development programme developed by Advance-HE (UK) in 2013 in response to research indicating that the level of women in influential and senior positions in higher education was lower then than over 10 years previous to this.
The programme aims are to:
- Increase your confidence
- Begin journey of self-discovery
- Develop leadership skills
- Increase your network
- Influence your team and sector
- Progress your career
It comprises of four online full day workshops, one face to face and two action learning set sessions. All participants work with a mentor throughout.
2. Who Can Apply?
- Women academics and researchers at lecturer level or equivalent.
- Women professional staff (administrative & technical) up to equivalent professional services grades.
Annually 20 women from UCC participate (subject to change, depending on budgets).
3. What is required of UCC Aurorians during the programme?
- Attend all seven Aurora sessions
- Attend inhouse UCC Aurora sessions (e.g. Mentoring & internal UCC Aurora workshop)
- Undertake self-directed learning throughout Aurora, aligned with development interests
- Commit to working with a mentor
- Be prepared to access leadership opportunities and champion for change
4. Cost
In 2023/2024, the cost was €1,100 per participant. Half is paid by the participant's local unit and half by Staff Wellbeing & Development.
5. Application & Nomination process
The detail is outlined annually once the call for applications takes place (mid summer). In brief, a personal statement (anonymised) of no more than 800 words, indicating why they should receive one of the scholarships & what the consequences of their participation will result for them, their unit and the organisation.
Workshop for 2023-2024 give an indication of the topics covered.
- Identity, Impact & Voice
- Core Leadership
- Action Learning Set 1
- Politics & Influence
- Adaptive Leadership Skills
- Your Future in HE
- Action Learning Set 2
6. Any questions?
Do not hesitate to contact Mary Horgan should you have any questions.
Some feedback from UCC Aurorians '22/'23
- It has been an absolute pleasure and amazing experience from which I have truly gained. I would definitely recommend the programme to any aspiring leaders.
- Aurora was an amazing programme & I feel so privileged having been awarded a place.
- Genuinely I’ve gotten so much out of the programme, particularly with my introverted nature!
- Aurora has laid the foundations for new challenges to come.
BELOW: Just some of UCC Aurorians ('22/'23) at their final workshop in Dublin on 17th May 2023.
