The Diversifying Leadership programme is designed to support early-career academics, professional services staff, lecturers, and senior lecturers from Black, Asian, and minority ethnic backgrounds who are taking their first steps into leadership roles. It is specifically designed for those who are new to leadership positions in higher education or have encountered structural barriers to advancement within the sector (from Grade 7).

The Diversifying Leadership (DL) programme is an established programme that aligns with 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 as 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.

The programme is structured in a hybrid format, combining both online and face-to-face components. It’s delivered over four months comprising five modules of which two will be held face-to-face, alongside related asynchronous work.

Participants will engage in: 

• Online modules and face-to-face workshops featuring Leadership Insight speakers from the HE sector 
• Approximately two hours of pre or post-session reflective activities 
• Two facilitated action learning sets 
• Working with a sponsor 

Diversifying Leadership and the University of Strathclyde

The University of Strathclyde is offering 10 staff members to attend the course (5 participants in the Birmingham cohort and 5  in the Manchester cohort)

We are offering 2 cohorts this year, the Birmingham cohort beginning in February 2025 or the Manchester cohort in April 2025.

We will ask for a first and second-choice option (cohort dates cannot be combined).

Programme Dates:

Diversifying Leadership Programme Birmingham (24) Dates:

Event	Date	Format	Time
Orientation Webinar	Wednesday 26th February 2025	Online	10:00 to 11:30
Module 1	Friday 21st March 2025	Face-to-face	09:45 to 16:00
Module 2	Friday 4th April 2025	Online	09:15 to 15:00
Module 3 Action Learning Set	Friday 25th April 2025	Online	09:15 to 15:00
Module 4	Friday 16th May 2025	Face-to-face	09:45 to 16:00
Module 5 Action Learning Set	Wednesday 4th June 2025	Online	09:15 to 15:00

Diversifying Leadership Programme Manchester (25) Dates:

Event	Date	Format	Time
Orientation Webinar	Monday 14th April 2025	Online	10:00 to 11:30
Module 1	Friday 2nd May 2025	Face-to-face	09:45 to 16:00
Module 2	Wednesday 21st May 2025	Online	09:15 to 15:00
Module 3 Action Learning Set	Wednesday 11th June 2025	Online	09:15 to 15:00
Module 4	Friday 4th July 2025	Face-to-face	09:45 to 16:00
Module 5 Action Learning Set	Wednesday 23rd July 2025	Online	09:15 to 15:00

Sponsor Webinars

Your sponsor will be required to attend two webinars* with the Diversifying Leadership co-directors:

Birmingham (24) Sponsor Dates:

Event	Date	Format	Time
Sponsor Webinar 1	Wednesday 26th February 2025	Online	12:30 to 14:00
Sponsor Webinar 2	Wednesday 30th April 2025	Online	12:30 to 14:00

Manchester (25) Sponsor Dates:

Event	Date	Format	Time
Sponsor Webinar 1	Wednesday 16th April 2025	Online	12:30 to 14:00
Sponsor Webinar 2	Wednesday 18th June 2025	Online	12:30 to 14:00

The full list of dates and sessions is available on the Diversifying Leadership webpage. 

How to apply

To apply, download the Diversifying Leadership Strathclyde criteria document and complete the Diversifying Leadership Strathclyde application.

Please submit your application by email to equality@strath.ac.uk by 5pm on 1 December 2024.

For more information, you are welcome to attend our information session on the 28^th of October. Booking is essential.