Aurora Women in Leadership
Launching the Programme for 2022/23
Human Resources and the Equality Unit are delighted to present this invitation for applications for the Aurora Leadership Programme 2022/23.
The programme, which will be delivered as a blended programme (with both online and in-person events), is targeted at women in lecturer, senior lecturer, research and professional services roles (administrative & technical) across all academic disciplines and throughout university administration. It is designed to introduce key leadership topics and skills via the workshops and action learning sessions. Further on-going support is ensured through action learning, online resources and institutional level support including mentoring. This course will be complemented by a TCD series run alongside the AdvanceHE Aurora Programme.
Message from The Associate Vice Provost for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
We are delighted to announce the call for applications to the Aurora Women in Leadership Programme for 2022-23. Building leadership capacity and strengthening our commitment to gender equality within our College Community are key aspects of the important join work between Human Resources and the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Office in supporting this programme.
Professor Lorraine Leeson, FTCD Associate Vice Provost for Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (AVP-EDI)
Message from the Director of Human Resources
The Aurora Programme is a wonderful opportunity to connect with colleagues in Trinity and the higher education sector across Ireland, and the UK. Run as a collaboration between Advance HE in conjunction with higher education institutions and advocates - known as Aurora Champions Aurora is a leadership ignition journey, inspiring women to aspire and achieve leadership positions within higher education.
I would like to extend an invitation to eligible staff to apply for this programme, and take the next steps in your career journey.
Antoinette Quinn, Director, Human Resources
Aurora Programme Co-Ordinator
Louise Power, Learning and Development Manager, is the programme Co-Ordinator for the Aurora Programme. Louise will deliver the Local Programme, and will be the main liaison with AdvanceHE for the Aurora Programme. Louise will also support the delivery of the mentoring aspect of the programme, including mentor matching and training.
Number of Places
For 2022/23 we will have 20 places. Priority will be given to applicants in Schools that are embarking upon Athena SWAN applications, and to creating a balance across the whole College Community. The Programme will commence on 16th November 2022, and will complete by June 2023.
Objective of this Programme
The objective of the programme is to embed a leadership mindset whereby women identify as leaders and seek appropriate opportunities to develop capabilities, skills and networks to support them in their developing careers. Participants are matched with a mentor for the duration of the programme.
Heads of Schools and Areas, people managers and mentors
We ask that you take the time to review this programme and encourage colleagues to come forward to participate, either as an applicant or as a mentor.
All staff who are committed to supporting this programme you can get involved by:
- Becoming a Mentor. The mentor should be more senior than the mentee and have an understanding of internal structures and organisational culture; have sufficient time available to work with the mentee, have strong listening skills and be able to ask good, open questions to help the participants develop their problem solving skills and develop further.
Mentoring
This is a key component of this programme and if you are interested in becoming a mentor please contact us at aurora.leadership@tcd.ie.
Connection to Athena SWAN
Applicants in schools that are embarking on Athena Swan applications are prioritised for this programme. Athena SWAN is Advance HE’s gender equality Charter, underpinned by a set of ten principles aiming to improve equal representation, progression, and culture within higher education institutions and research institutes. The Charter principles highlight several key gender equality issues in HE, and the Aurora programme is a useful initiative to support the aims of Athena SWAN.
Frequently Asked Questions are available at https://www.advance-he.ac.uk/programmes-events/aurora/aurora-faqs.
Costs
10 of the available spaces will be fully funded (costs shared between HR/Equality Diversity and Inclusion Unit). A further 10 of the spaces will be co-funded to 50% by Equality/HR, and the remaining 50% will be wholly funded locally in the school/area.
If a department has funding available and wishes to sponsor a Women in Leadership Event, please get in touch at aurora.leadership@tcd.ie to discuss.
Application Process
The Application process will open on Thursday 6th October 2022.
Applications should be submitted no later than 12 noon on Friday 28th October 2022.
Applications this year will be online using the Online Aurora Application Form. An email/letter of support from your Head of School or Head of Area will be required to be uploaded alongside the form.
A draft of the form is available for viewing here (please note the application process must be complted in one go in the application form above).
If a department has funding available and wishes to Sponsor a Women in Leadership Event, please get in touch at aurora.leadership@tcd.ie to discuss.
Target Audience: Women up to Associate Professor level and equivalent technical / research / administrative staff.
Queries on the Aurora Programme in Trinity should be emailed to aurora.leadership@tcd.ie.Dates for the programme
The programme involves attending 7 one-day workshops and 6 TCD local short meet ups on the following dates to increase local networking, shared goals, and embed learning from the programme. You will also be assigned a mentor.
| Workshop | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|
| TCD Kick Start the Aurora Programme, Meet the Team and your fellow Aurorians - in person | 16/11/2022 | 11:00 -13:00 |
| Aurora Intro Webinar | 22/11/2022 | 10:00 - 12:00 |
| Identity, Impact and Voice | 29/11/2022 | 10:00 - 15:00 |
| TCD Identity, Impact and Voice - in person | 07/12/2022 | 11:00 - 13:00 |
| Core Leadership Skills | 17/01/2023 | 10:00 - 15:00 |
| TCD Leadership and Trust - in person | 07/02/2023 | 11:00 - 13:00 |
| Action Learning Set 1 | 28/02/2023 | All Day - to be agreed with Action Learning Group (may be shorter) |
| Politics and Influence | 21/03/2023 | 10:00 - 15:00 |
| TCD Politics and Influence - in person | 29/03/2023 | 11:00 - 13:00 |
| Adaptive Leadership Skills | 18/04/2023 | 10:00 - 15:00 |
| TCD Adaptive Leadership - in person | 03/05/2022 | 11:00 - 13:00 |
| Action Learning Set 2 | 09/05/2023 | All Day - to be agreed with Action Learning Group (may be shorter) |
| Your Future in Higher Education - in person | 17/05/2023 | 10:00 - 15:00 |
| TCD End of Series Workshop, next steps - in person | 07/06/2023 | 11:00 - 13:00 |
