Aurora – impact of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) outbreak
We have been closely monitoring developments in response to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) outbreak.
We know that core to Aurora is the networking opportunity that it affords participants and the direct positive impact the facilitation has during the development days. We want to make sure that we retain the valued aspects of Aurora, ensure it works as we all want it to and also respond to the challenges and priorities we are all facing at this time.
We have therefore decided to postpone all the remaining delivery days of Aurora to the Autumn term to be sure that we can deliver as we intend and provide the best experience for participants. We hope to be able to confirm the rescheduled dates by the end of May with ongoing action learning sets now taking place online. We have already communicated this information directly to current participants, Aurora Role Models and Champions.
The only exceptions to this are the Dublin Adaptive Leadership Skills day on 31 March 2020 which will now be delivered as a virtual session online and the Dublin ½ day Champion event, also on 31 March 2020, which will now run virtually as a 2-hour webinar.
In addition to updates on this page and specific emails we will also post updates to the Aurora cohort group on Advance HE Connect. See our COVID-19 updates page for the latest information on our services.
Led by a team of four leadership experts, participants will explore four key areas associated with leadership success: Identity, Impact and Voice; Power and Politics; Core Leadership Skills; Adaptive Leadership Skills.
Over the past six years 5,895 women from over 175 institutions across the UK and Ireland have participated in Aurora.
Aurora seeks to support women and their institutions to fulfil their leadership potential through thought provoking activities, collaborative problem solving activities and motivating stories supported by inspirational women role models. Participation embeds strong networks of early career women across the sector to share best practice, insights and experiences.
Aurora role model registration 2019-20 is now open. To register to be a role model, please click here.
Aurora 2019-20
Aurora runs in a number of locations across the UK and Ireland and consists of six interlinked days.
To find a cohort search "Aurora" in our calendar.
Would you like more information on Aurora?
Request an information pack containing links to the Aurora brochure, case studies, videos and links to each of the cohorts for Aurora 2019-20.
Aurora has had a huge impact for Brunel. It has highlighted our commitment to gender equality and ensuring women have the opportunity to apply for more senior positons in the organisation and that we want them to stay, grow and develop with us. Aurora has helped our participants to maximise their talents and develop leadership skills and acumen. Several have succeeded in advancing their careers, either through promotion or by attaining new leadership roles."Professor Lorraine De Souza, Aurora champion Pro-Vice Chancellor (equality, diversity and staff development), Brunel University London
Who is Aurora for?
Aurora is for those who identify as women, up to senior lecturer level or the professional services equivalent, working in a university, college or related organisation who would like to develop and explore issues relating to leadership roles and responsibilities. Participants should have the endorsement of their institution (either their Aurora Champion, Human Resource department or line manager) and be committed to developing and enhancing their career.
Participants will be asked to:
- 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 working with a mentor who is provided by their institution;
- be prepared to access leadership opportunities and champion for change.
How does Aurora work?
With cohorts running at a number of locations across the UK and Ireland, the Aurora programme is a mix of face to face development days held in large regional venues, action learning sets and self-directed online learning modules. Participants are guided by role models and supported by mentors from your institution.
Booking Aurora
All bookings on Aurora must be made through or with the permission of your institutions Aurora Champion (list found here). As an Aurora Champion or person who supports Aurora bookings within your institution to book yourself or multiple delegates on to the programme, please book online for each cohort through the links below (you will be redirected to Advance HE's MYLF). In order to book you will be asked to log in to your `My LF account`. If you do not have an account you can create one, if you do not know your password you can reset it by clicking the `forgotten password` link. If you do not know your MYLF number or need any assistance please contact the Aurora team on +44 (0)20 3468 4810 or aurora@advance-he.ac.uk.
London 1
Identity, Impact and Voice: 23 October 2019
Politics and Influence: 20 November 2019
Action Learning Set 1: 11 December 2019
Core Leadership Skills: 15 January 2020
Adaptive Leadership Skills: 19 February 2020
Action Learning Set 2: 18 March 2020
Politics and Influence: 20 November 2019
Action Learning Set 1: 11 December 2019
Core Leadership Skills: 15 January 2020
Adaptive Leadership Skills: 19 February 2020
Action Learning Set 2: 18 March 2020
Edinburgh
Identity, Impact and Voice: 5 November 2019
Politics and Influence: 3 December 2019
Action Learning Set 1: 7 January 2020
Core Leadership Skills: 4 February 2020
Adaptive Leadership Skills: 3 March 2020
Action Learning Set 2: 31 March 2020
Politics and Influence: 3 December 2019
Action Learning Set 1: 7 January 2020
Core Leadership Skills: 4 February 2020
Adaptive Leadership Skills: 3 March 2020
Action Learning Set 2: 31 March 2020
Dublin
Identity, Impact and Voice: 10 December 2019
Politics and Influence: 21 January 2020
Action Learning Set 1: 11 February 2020
Core Leadership Skills: 10 March 2020
Adaptive Leadership Skills: 31 March 2020
Action Learning Set 2: 28 April 2020
Politics and Influence: 21 January 2020
Action Learning Set 1: 11 February 2020
Core Leadership Skills: 10 March 2020
Adaptive Leadership Skills: 31 March 2020
Action Learning Set 2: 28 April 2020
Cardiff
Identity, Impact and Voice: 22 January 2020
Politics and Influence: 12 February 2020
Action Learning Set 1: 25 March 2020
Core Leadership Skills: 29 April 2020
Adaptive Leadership Skills: 20 May 2020
Action Learning Set 2: 17 June 2020
Politics and Influence: 12 February 2020
Action Learning Set 1: 25 March 2020
Core Leadership Skills: 29 April 2020
Adaptive Leadership Skills: 20 May 2020
Action Learning Set 2: 17 June 2020
Birmingham 1
Identity, Impact and Voice: 7 February 2020
Politics and Influence: 6 March 2020
Action Learning Set 1: 3 April 2020
Core Leadership Skills: 1 May 2020
Adaptive Leadership Skills: 5 June 2020
Action Learning Set 2: 3 July 2020
Politics and Influence: 6 March 2020
Action Learning Set 1: 3 April 2020
Core Leadership Skills: 1 May 2020
Adaptive Leadership Skills: 5 June 2020
Action Learning Set 2: 3 July 2020
London 2
Identity, Impact and Voice: 25 February 2020
Politics and Influence: 24 March 2020
Action Learning Set 1: 21 April 2020
Core Leadership Skills: 12 May 2020
Adaptive Leadership Skills: 23 June 2020
Action Learning Set 2: 14 July 2020
Politics and Influence: 24 March 2020
Action Learning Set 1: 21 April 2020
Core Leadership Skills: 12 May 2020
Adaptive Leadership Skills: 23 June 2020
Action Learning Set 2: 14 July 2020
Birmingham 2
Identity, Impact and Voice: 26 March 2020
Politics and Influence: 23 April 2020
Action Learning Set 1: 14 May 2020
Core Leadership Skills: 11 June 2020
Adaptive Leadership Skills: 2 July 2020
Action Learning Set 2: 23 July 2020
Politics and Influence: 23 April 2020
Action Learning Set 1: 14 May 2020
Core Leadership Skills: 11 June 2020
Adaptive Leadership Skills: 2 July 2020
Action Learning Set 2: 23 July 2020
Aurora case studies
Aurora and your institution
Institutions are responsible for coordinating Aurora within their organisation, providing mentors for their participants and supporting participants to attend the development days and their action learning sets. In each institution, Aurora is led by an Aurora champion.
Aurora - The Longitundinal Study
Our five-year longitudinal study of Aurora participants tracks the careers and aspirations of women working in higher education.