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Embedding Mental Wellbeing in the Curriculum – International

Diversifying Leadership

Enhance your visibility and authentic leadership within Higher Education.

There is a clear under-representation of leaders from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds in higher education (HE) institutions in the UK at all levels but particularly at senior levels. There is also documented evidence of the poor experiences of many Black, Asian and minority ethnic academic staff in UK HE including experiences related to leadership roles.

The Diversifying Leadership Programme is fully booked. 

We will be launching the new portfolio dates for 2024/25 in May 2024.

Please enquire below to register your interest. 

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Tackling the under-representation of Black, Asian and minority ethnic leaders in UK higher education institutions

The Diversifying Leadership (DL) programme is an established programme that aligns to the following themes:

  • Power and influence
  • Demystifying leadership
  • Cultural identity and cultural capital

Participants will explore concepts such as ‘authentic leadership’, allowing the self-identity of their own leadership style and role as a leader to emerge, as well considering their motivation and influences. Featuring stories from high-profile HE leaders, the programme is designed to provide a safe environment in which to discuss issues and personal narratives relating to lived experiences of working within HE. As a result, participants build confidence, feel empowered and expand their professional strengths.

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An introduction to the programme

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.

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Plan your professional development for 2023-24 using our NEW Development Planner

Whether you are looking to enhance your practice, share insights or identify the next step in your professional development, by answering only a few short questions our new Development Planner will guide you to a range of development opportunities that meet your requirements. Try it today.

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Advance HE Development Planner
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Programme dates

We will be launching the new portfolio dates for 2024/25 this coming May. It will consist of 3 cohorts due to start in the Autumn and Spring terms*. 

*Subject to change

How is the programme delivered?

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.

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Cohort Dates

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Cohort Dates

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Sponsors

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.

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Diversifying Leadership Sponsor Toolkit

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Meet the delivery team

Institutional Research Culture Lead
,
University of Roehampton
Dr Melissa Jogie
Dr Melissa Jogie is the Institutional Research Culture Lead at the University of Roehampton, where she designs and delivers on university wide initiatives to develop a research and knowledge exchange culture for both staff and post-graduate students.

Interim Director of Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
,
London South Bank University
Image of Sanchia Alasia
Sanchia is an award-winning specialist in equality diversity and human resources and has over 16 years’ experience of working in this field across the public sector. She has worked across the public sector to help move organisations towards being truly being inclusive, valuing their staff and creating a culture where staff feel supported, appreciated, and respected.
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How to book?

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.

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Directory

Our Diversifying Leadership Champion Community consists of people within Higher Education institutions who work closely with Advance HE to promote the programme and support delegates through the application and booking process.

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Diversifying Leadership Directory

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Application documents

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.

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Personal Statement Form

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Sponsor Statement Form

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Diversifying Leadership longitudinal study

Cracking the concrete ceiling: Tracking the impact of the Diversifying Leadership programme was commissioned by Advance HE to explore leadership development for black and minority ethnic staff in higher education. View summary findings or read the full report.

Cracking the concrete ceiling: Tracking the impact of the Diversifying Leadership programme
16/05/2019
Cracking the concrete ceiling: Tracking the impact of the Diversifying Leadership programme View Document
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Related

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