Aurora is a leadership development programme for those who identify as female. It was developed by the Leadership Foundation for Higher Education in the UK. You can read more about the programme at Aurora | Advance HE
The programme is designed to introduce key leadership topics and skills through four online one-day workshops, complemented by online networking, action learning sets and resources. Advance HE also host an in-person networking event as part of the programme.
The UCD HR People and Organisation Development Unit support the UCD Aurora cohort by hosting several local in-person events such as the UCD programme launch and closing events, mentee training and a mid-programme review event. On-going support is ensured through institutional mentoring.
Aurora is supported in UCD both by an overall Institution Champion, Professor Regina Uí Chollatáin, and an Aurora Coordinator in HR People and Organisation Development.
Making an application
The closing date for receipt of applications for the 2023-24 Aurora Programme was 7 September 2023.
Participants
The programme was established in 2013 and has run in a number of venues in the UK and Ireland, including London; Manchester; Bristol and Glasgow and Dublin. UCD has supported over 185 women to participate in the programme since 2015, demonstrating the University's commitment to leadership development and gender equality.
- Aurora Participants 2015 (Pilot)
- Aurora Participants 2016
- Aurora Participants 2016-2017
- Aurora Participants 2017-2018
- Aurora Participants 2018-2019
- Aurora Participants 2019-2020
- Aurora Participants 2020-2021
- Aurora Participants 2021-2022
- Aurora Participants 2022-2023
Mentors
Aurora requires that the University puts systems in place to help support and develop participants on their Aurora experience. This includes having mentors in place to work with participants. Although the development days are run over 5 months, the mentoring arrangement is for the duration of one year to help participants maximise the benefit of the programme.
Guidance on choosing a mentor is available below:
Aurora Guidance in Choosing a Mentor
- 2015-2016 Aurora List of Mentors
- 2016-2017 Aurora List of Mentors
- 2017-2018 Aurora List of Mentors
- 2018-2019 Aurora List of Mentors
- 2019-2020 Aurora List of Mentors
- 2020-2021 Aurora List of Mentors
- 2021-2022 Aurora List of Mentors
- 2022-2023 Aurora List of Mentors
Should you have any queries in relation to Aurora in UCD, please contact peopledevelopment@ucd.ie.
If you have questions relating to other leadership or management development please discuss this with your Line Manager or Head of School/Unit at your annual P4G conversation.