Aurora champion/s (female or male) are the face of Aurora within their institutions. They are the lynchpin linking participants, role models and mentors, and leading their institution's engagement with Aurora. This role should be filled by a person/s (female or male) with sufficient seniority, influence and interest in the issues facing women in higher education, to have credibility with the participants.
During the Spring of 2019 we brought the Aurora champion community together via four face to face events across the UK and Ireland to understand the opportunities and challenges in advocating for gender diversity in leadership, to hear champions (and other professionals associated with Aurora) feedback on the programme and to provide a networking opportunity for champions to share best practice. Following the consultation events we are collating feedback and will be rolling out a series of changes and enhancements to Aurora over the next year.
We are delighted to be able to launch our champions network group on our new platform, Advance HE Connect. This group is set-up as a forum for champions and other professionals supporting Aurora from an institutional perspective.
Aurora champion directory
Details of champions and Aurora liaisons from engaging institutions and sector bodies can be found in the directory.
Role of the Aurora champion
Each institution has been asked to nominate an in-house Aurora champion who will help identify participants, mentors and role models, and be the main point of contact between Advance HE and the institution. Some institutions have chosen to split this role into two – one as the key figurehead for Aurora and one as the liaison point for the administrative details.
The Aurora champion/s will:
• Identify and select participants to attend Aurora;
• Brief the participants on Aurora and the commitment expected of them;
• Ensure that there is a mentor (male or female) for each participant;
• Support the mentors and participants at their institution;
• Identify role models from within the institution who will attend one or more events and host a table of up to seven participants;
• Ensure all delegates receive Aurora event details;
• Support the participants in using their new skills;
• Provide opportunities for Aurora participants to share their experience and learning.
Aurora champion directory
Each institution has been asked to nominate an in-house ‘Aurora champion’ who will help identify participants, mentors and role models, and be the main point of contact between Advance HE and the institution. Some institutions have chosen to split this role into two – one as the key figurehead for Aurora and one as the liaison point for the administrative details. Details of champions and Aurora liaisons from engaging institutions and sector bodies can be found in the directory.
Booking Aurora
All bookings on Aurora must be made through or with the permission of your institutions Aurora Champion (list found here).
If your institution does not have an Aurora Champion, please email the Aurora team.