Diversifying Leadership - Leadership Development for BAME Staff
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.
As part of this programme, you will have the opportunity to explore concepts such as ‘authentic leadership’, allowing the self-identity of your own leadership style and role as a leader to emerge, as well considering your motivation and influences. You will be provided with a safe place in which to discuss issues relating to your experiences of working in HE, building your confidence, feeling empowered and expand your professional strengths.
For more detail on the programme content, visits Advance HE’s webpage.
The programme comprises three one-day workshops in London, two facilitated action learning sets and access to online resources. Travel costs for this are to be agreed and covered by your school or department budget.
It is important that as part of the programme, you are able to attend all sessions.
If you are successful, you will be asked to identify a sponsor, so please give this some consideration. If you do not have a colleague in mind to be your sponsor, please speak with your Head of Directorate / School for support. If this is also a barrier, please contact peopledevelopment@reading.ac.uk after applying.
Role of a Sponsor -
Sponsorship is a special kind of relationship in which a more senior colleague provides structured support which may include:
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creating research productivity
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career advice & guidance
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navigate internal politics & structures; and
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provides access to projects
The Sponsor also uses their influence with senior members of staff to advocate for you.
Further details of the role of the sponsor can be found in the Sponsor Toolkit.
The University sponsors a number of places on the programme and applications are reviewed by a panel to decide which applicants will be given a place, and the decision of its members is final.
Please note, it is not open to individuals to apply direct to Advance HE for a place, delegates must be sponsored by the University centrally.
As part of your application, you and your line manager will each need to prepare a supporting statement.
Applicants Statement –
This should be a short statement of no more than 300 words covering:
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At what point would you describe yourself on your leadership journey.
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What are your future leadership ambitions.
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What do you consider to be some of the key challenges and opportunities with regards BAME leadership in Higher Education.
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What are your expectations in regard to this programme in supporting your ambitions.
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What particular challenges do you face in progressing as a leader, personally and/or within your institution.
Line Manager Statement –
This should also be a short statement of no more than 200 words covering:
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The applicant’s level of commitment to taking part in Diversifying Leadership.
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How will the applicant benefit from the programme.
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How does the programme align with their strengths and development needs.
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How you will support the applicant during the programme and with applying the leadership skills that they are developing on Diversifying Leadership back at work.
Applications for this year's cohort are now open and will close on 6th September 2026.
You can apply using the .
Please ensure that you are able to attend all of the following dates before applying.
- Wednesday 7th October 2026
- Friday 6th November 2026
- Friday 4th December 2026
- Friday 15th January 2027
- Friday 12th February 2027
- Friday 5th March 2027
Please note - By submitting an application, you and your line manager are confirming that you will commit to the full programme. This includes attending all sessions and action learning sets as well as any pre-work and post-work set in connection with each module. Due to the significant cost of the programme, failure to do so may result in the cost of your place on the programme being charged back to your School or Directorate.
If you have any questions about Diversifying Leadership, the application process or leadership development, please get in touch with us at peopledevelopment@reading.ac.uk.