
Aurora is higher education's most renowned leadership development initiative for women. Run as a collaboration between Advance HE in conjunction with higher education institutions and advocates - known as Aurora Champions - it addresses the under-representation of women in leadership positions. Aurora is a leadership ignition journey, inspiring women to aspire and achieve leadership positions within higher education.
Launched in 2013, Aurora has grown year on year and is now a community of over 8,300 Aurorans. Led by a team of leadership experts and in conjunction with a mentoring process, participants will explore four key areas associated with leadership success: Identity, Impact & Voice; Core Leadership; Politics & Influence and Adaptive Leadership Skills.
Each of the four delivery days are held online, with delegates usually being drawn from a wide range of institutions in the same region. These days combine the best of conferences (prominent keynote speakers, open space technologies, outstanding networking opportunities, energy and dynamism) with the best of development workshops (interactivity, small group work, individual reflection, and sharing of experiences). The development days are intended to be introductory events which will provide inspirational stories, guidance for growth of skills and knowledge, opportunities to share solutions to common problems and signposting for further learning.
Development Days and Action Learning Sets
Welcome and Introduction
Identity, Impact and Voice
Core Leadership
Action Learning Set 1
Politics and Influence
Adaptive Leadership Skills
Action Learning Set 2
Mentoring

Online Enhancements
To allow Aurorans to network with and across cohorts we have curated a range of one-hour online optional informal networking events hosted fortnightly by the Aurora Support Team to supplement participants' learning journey.
Coffee and Connect
Watch Parties
Special Sessions
How to book onto Aurora
Aurora Champions or those looking to become Aurora Champions should contact our support team at aurora@advance-he.ac.uk to make enquiries. Details of how to book onto Aurora will be shared directly with Aurora Champions via their email newsletter.