Trish Bourke, Senior Officer in the Office of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at Technological University of the Shannon, Ireland, shares her experience of Aurora. 

Through Aurora, Advance HE’s leadership development initiative for women in higher education, I found the confidence to pursue a lifelong ambition – writing my memoir, Unwitnessed. With the support and encouragement of my mentor, Dr Chris McDermott from Applied Social Sciences, I discovered that leadership can begin with sharing your own story. 
 

Leadership through everyday actions 

 
Before Aurora, I saw leadership as something exercised by those in formal positions of authority. Aurora challenged that assumption. It showed me that leadership can be demonstrated through everyday actions: being present, collaborating with others, contributing to projects and having the courage to take on something deeply personal if it has the potential to make a difference. 
 
Writing Unwitnessed became much more than a personal achievement. It became a catalyst for change. As a former Jehovah’s Witness, I experienced first-hand how higher education was often discouraged within the organisation. Since publishing my memoir, I have been able to support other former Jehovah’s Witnesses to access higher education, helping people who once believed university was beyond their reach to see new possibilities. 

Challenging barriers through lived experience 

 Aurora gave me the confidence to recognise that lived experience is a strength, not something to hide. Leadership is not always about managing teams or holding senior positions. Sometimes it is about creating opportunities, challenging barriers and using your own experience to empower others. I now support former Jehovah’s Witnesses in accessing university where many were discouraged from attending in the past. 

 
My advice to anyone on their leadership journey is simple: do not underestimate the impact of your own story or the impact of Aurora. Whether you lead through your role, your collaboration with colleagues, or by pursuing a lifelong dream, leadership is about making a positive difference in the lives of others.