Leadership courses

As part of our commitment to developing our membership, we have collaborated with external providers to offer a range of events to support individuals from different backgrounds, genders and sexual orientation with developing their leadership skills and practice.

If you would like to express an interest in attending any of these programmes, please add your name to the waiting list for the relevant programme on HR Organiser. You will then be contacted when the application process opens. Please direct any questions to inclusion@essex.ac.uk.

Diversifying leadership

Diversifying Leadership is an externally delivered programme led by Advance HE. This programme addresses how individuals can impact the Higher Education (HE) sector to tackle the well documented under representation of BAME leaders in UK HE institutions. The programme includes action learning, networking opportunities and workshops.is an externally delivered leadership development programme that is led by Advance HE.

Feedback from previous participants:

“The diversifying leadership programme is excellent because it helped me to understand the structures and systems that I needed to navigate to achieve my goals as a Black academic. I had extensive experience in Higher Education and although I was very aware of the barriers that existed, I didn’t fully understand what I had to do to overcome them and achieve the goals that I knew I was capable of. The programme provided valuable insight into the role of ‘sponsors' and how they facilitate a supportive environment for Black academics to flourish. On completion of this programme I was able to successfully apply for 'permanency' and promotion to senior lecturer. Structural racism does impact Black academics but this programme helps participants to understand the barriers and huddles that they need to overcome to achieve their objectives and goals.”

“I became more confident, proactive and assertive. I was able to become more of my “authentic self” and as a result happier. The programme also made me think about my professional goals and how to work on achieving those; I think these aspects developed incrementally over time. The instructors (both core and external guest speakers) were great, as were my co-participants. I met some wonderful people, some of whom I am still in contact with.”

• Duration: 5 days
• Audience: Early-career academics and professional services staff from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds who are about to take their first steps into a leadership role.

Applications for centrally-funded places in AY 2023/24 are currently open. Applications must be sent to the Inclusion team at inclusion@essex.ac.uk by 5pm on 17 November 2023.

• Application guidance (.docx)
• Application form (.docx)

Please email the Inclusion team if you have any questions.

Stonewall LGBTQ+ leadership programme

The Stonewall LGBTQ+ leadership programme is externally delivered by Stonewall and is an intensive two-day residential, which offers opportunity to reflect on how your identity as an LGBTQ+ person has had an impact on your leadership journey. It will help you understand what it means to be an authentic and inclusive leader. You will also explore how to be a more visible and inclusive leader. It includes opportunities for professional networking with senior LGBTQ+ leaders. 

• Duration: 2 days.
• Audience: for senior leaders who identify as LGBTQ+.

Aurora

Aurora is an externally delivered leadership development programme that is led by Advance HE, bringing together leadership experts and higher education institutions to take positive action to address the under-representation of women in leadership positions in the Higher Education sector. The programme utilises a self-directed learning approach aided by online resources and mentoring.

• Duration: 5 days.
• Audience: all people who identify as a woman and aspire to be, or are already in, a leadership role.

Calibre

The Calibre Programme builds on 21st-century thinking of disability leadership to ensure we see more disabled leaders in a variety of positions within the workplace. It has been designed to address the distinct and often subtle barriers disabled staff face in the work place. Using the Social Model of disability as the basis for the programme enables participants to see disability as a distinctive strength. The programme includes networking opportunities, workshops and graduation.

• Duration: 6 days (includes day for graduation).
• Audience: all disabled staff that aspire to be, or are already in, a leadership role.

Stonewall Young Leaders

The Stonewall Young Leaders programme provides a unique opportunity to explore what it means to be an authentic role model. It gives participants the space to reflect on the relationship between their identity as an LGBTQ+ person and their influence in the workplace.

• Duration: 2 days.
• Audience: all people who identify as LGBTQ+ aged 18 to 25.