AURORA

Aurora aims to encourage participants to recognise their talent and capabilities, think about their future careers, consider “stepping up” to promotional posts and to consider leadership and management as one option for career progression. Therefore, participants should be ambitious for a career in the HE sector and willing to actively engage in developing their leadership potential.

While most leadership programmes are aimed at leaders and managers already in role, Aurora is designed to engage with women at an earlier stage in their careers.

The following are the eligibility criteria which govern application to the programme:

• Female member of staff up to senior lecturer/ researcher, and professional services from Grade 6 to Grade 8, who demonstrate the ambition to develop as a leader within current or future roles.
• Up to date with any Ulster University mandatory/compliance training.
• The Aurora programme is open to female staff who are beyond first year of probation. This includes both academic staff who have passed their first year of probation and professional services staff who have completed their one-year probation.
• The Aurora programme is open to all female staff including staff on fixed-term contracts; however, applicants must ensure their contract extends beyond the duration of the programme.

The programme runs annually, and approval of applications is co-ordinated within People and Culture. It is a self-nomination process. Applicants must discuss their development goals for the programme with their line manager.

The application process includes:

• Submission of a completed Application form, confirmation of availability, and manager endorsement via Line Manager Supporting Statement
• Application window is opened from 1 June and will close on Friday 10 July 2026 at 5pm.
• All applications are then submitted to the Selection Panel for review and outcomes will be notified by late July 2026.

Application Form (MS Form)

There are 3 sections to the application form:

• General Information
• Aurora Specific Questions
• Line Manager Support Statement

Aurora Specific Questions

1. What has attracted you to apply for the Aurora programme (as opposed to other leadership development opportunities) and its underpinning principles? (Max 150 words­).
2. Why do you believe that you demonstrate the leadership potential to participate in Aurora? (Max 150 words­).
3. What development needs have you identified through your development conversations that this programme may support you to achieve? Describe any previous leadership or management development you have had and how attending the Aurora programme will build on this. (Max 150 words­).
4. What outcomes do you expect to achieve from your participation in this programme at this stage of your career? Consider how your career aims relate to leadership and support your leadership journey. (Max 150 words­).
5. Aurorans are expected to commit to ‘give back’ and support women’s leadership in Ulster University after the programme. What might this look like for you? Consider the benefits for your colleagues/School/ Research Institute/ Department/ University Athena Swan Goals etc. (max 150 words­).

Line Manager Support Statement

This document can be downloaded, completed and uploaded when completing the Application Form (MS Form)

The programme is supported by Aurora Champions who provide guidance and are the main point of contact between Advance HE and Ulster University. These are Professor Mary Hannon-Fletcher, Dean of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Ulster University Aurora Champion, Athena Swan Champion, and STEMM Ambassador; Janet Peden, Director of Library Services and University Librarian; and Aoife Campbell, People Development Partner, People and Culture. Further information including contact information can be found in the Aurora Community Network.

Once delegates have had their place confirmed by Advance HE, they will need to find a Mentor by registering for the 'Management and Leadership Scheme' on our mentoring system SUMAC. Details on this scheme can be found in the Mentoring at Ulster: Your Complete Guide. Delegates are also required to attend Mentee training prior to commencing the programme.

Role Models from a range of institutions, including Ulster University, attend the virtual workshops so that participants have contact with successful women in higher education displaying the values and characteristics suitable for a positive role model.

Line managers play a vital role in supporting the successful delivery of the Ulster University Aurora programme. Their responsibilities include:

• Managers should communicate/advertise the programme to eligible staff; giving enough time for staff to meet the closing date.
• Managers should familiarise themselves with the aims of Aurora in relation to other development options available to support informed discussion with interested staff.
• Managers should consider discussing the Aurora programme with eligible staff.
• Managers must consider all applications received from staff. Assessing the individual’ suitability in comparison to the selection criteria.
• Managers must complete the Line Manager Support Statement (please see application process section for document) in each eligible staff’s application form, prior to submitting this form for consideration. They must also get Head of School/ Department signature on the form.
• Managers must be prepared to provide appropriate feedback to both unsuccessful and successful candidates and should consider how to handle this in advance. The selection panel also offer feedback to unsuccessful candidates.
• Managers are responsible for following up with all successful participants after the programme and check whether aims included on their application form have been achieved for example at their development discussions.

The programme costs £1130 (no VAT). In support of the University’s Athena Swan agenda and ongoing commitment to promoting and valuing leadership development and career progression for women across the University, the People and Culture Directorate and Dean of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion are jointly funding the course fees for 2026/27 Aurora programme.

Funding includes participant fees and excludes any travel and subsistence costs for the networking event in April 2027, which should be met from local budgets.

It may be possible for additional places on the programme to be secured if the departments have capacity to fund additional individuals for this directly.