Diversifying Leadership

In this video Melissa Jogie, Co-director of the DL Programme, reflects on how the programme is delivered, the confidence delegates gain from participation and the shared learning experience and supportive environment it provides.

The 2023-24 portfolio will consist of four Diversifying Leadership cohorts, with the dates linked here.

The pricing structure as below:

Advance HE Member - £1,950                         Early Booking Advance HE Member - £1755
Non-Member - £2,600                                      Early Booking Non-Member - £2,340

Diversifying Leadership builds on the very successful blended delivery (a mix of synchronous online, on-the-job, and face-to-face learning) approach offered in the previous nineteen national programmes.

The programme is delivered over the period of three months comprising of five modules of which two will be held face-to-face, with related asynchronous work. Typically running at a frequency of three regional cohorts per academic year participants will engage in:

• Half-day synchronous online workshops or modules featuring keynote speakers from the HE sector
• Approximately 30 minutes of post-session reflective activities
• Two facilitated action learning sets.

The focus areas of individual modules can be found below: 

Orientation webinar: Introduction to​ Diversifying Leadership Programme
Module One: Leadership, 'Black, Asian and minority ethnic leadership' and lessons from the labyrinth 
Module Two: Leadership, power and influence: changing the game
Module Three (Action learning set): Speaking actions into existence 
Module Four: Leadership tomorrow: vision, voice and visibility 
Module Five (Action learning set): Speaking actions into existence

These activities are supported by a rich set of learning materials that remain available to participants for a minimum of 6 months after the conclusion of the programme. DL is digitally recognised and will provide attendees will a certificate of learning.

As part of the programme, participants are required to secure a sponsor from within their institution who will support them during the programme and potentially beyond. The time commitment will be negotiated between the sponsor and the participant.

Role of a Sponsor 

Sponsorship is a special kind of relationship in which a more senior colleague provides structured support which may include:

• creating research productivity;
• career advice & guidance;
• navigate internal politics & structures; and
• provides access to projects

The Sponsor also uses his or her influence with senior members of staff to advocate for the participant.

Sponsor Toolkit

The Sponsor Toolkit is an additional resource for sponsors, consisting of web-based materials and interactive support. It has been made available to ensure sponsors have a better understanding of the specific issues facing Black, Asian and minority ethnic early career leaders and are confident to carry out their role in championing them. The toolkit is informed by relevant academic literature and good practice on sponsorship and the experience and development of aspiring Black, Asian and minority ethnic leaders.

The Diversifying Leadership program has an application process in place to ensure a safe and inclusive space for all participants, therefore the co-directors review each application to uphold this objective. All prospective participants are required to complete a personal statement, select a sponsor from within their institution and consequently request from them a letter of support.

Your institutional Champion is responsible for booking you onto the programme. They are a significant point of contact throughout your experience, who can help with reviewing applications to ensure a safe and suitable environment is maintained. Please contact your institutional champion to apply to Diversifying Leadership.

Institution Directory

If your institution does not have an institutional champion assigned yet, please use the booking link and follow the instructions that will be sent to you after you have booked your place on the program. These instructions will provide guidance on how to proceed whilst ensuring a smooth application process. Please note we cannot accept more than five bookings from the same institution per cohort.

All prospective participants are required to complete a personal statement, select a sponsor from within their institution and consequently request from them a letter of support.

In order to confirm a place, we require that participants complete two supporting documents (applications). Once completed, institutional champions must return these to us by the application deadline.

The first document is a ’personal statement’ (300 – 500 words) which outlines your personal aims and objectives for applying for the programme, and what you hope to gain and how you intend on applying your learning. 

The second document is a ‘letter of support’ for their application from their chosen sponsor. We ask that they put together a letter outlining their commitment to support their protégées on their journey. Find further information on their role within our Sponsor Toolkit, which we recommend sharing with participant’s sponsors.  

Once the application forms have been returned and accepted, and purchase orders received, we are then able to raise an invoice and process payment.