Empowering women leaders in higher education
She Leads is a transformative leadership development programme designed to advance gender equality and empower women leaders across the global higher education (HE) sector. Rooted in the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion, the programme supports institutions in creating leadership cultures that reflect the values of fairness, collaboration and innovation.
Aligned with international policy frameworks and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 5: Gender Equality, SDG 4: Quality Education, and SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities, She Leads equips participants to lead with confidence and influence systemic change within and beyond their institutions.
Please note: She Leads is available exclusively for institutional purchase and is not offered as an open programme for individuals currently.
Why gender equality matters in higher education
The global higher education landscape is evolving rapidly, with gender equality recognised as a critical driver of institutional success and societal progress. International frameworks such as the UNESCO Gender Equality Strategy, the Beijing Platform for Action, and regional policy commitments emphasise the need for inclusive leadership to address persistent disparities.
By investing in women leaders, institutions contribute to:
- Inclusive leadership that reflects diverse perspectives
- Enhanced organisational performance through equitable decision-making
- Global commitments to sustainability and social justice
Leaders have different stories and the programme served as a rich interactive milieu for these beautiful female leaders to share their stories and take the others through their career journey. We should always aspire others to lead. My leadership motto has always been: ‘Together we lead. Together we shine.’
Secretary-General of Higher Education Council, Kingdom of Bahrain
Programme overview
She Leads takes a holistic approach to leadership development, moving from leading self to leading others, leading within organisations and ultimately influencing across the wider HE ecosystem. Participants critically examine their leadership practices, challenge structural barriers and develop strategies to foster inclusive cultures.
Building on the success of the Aurora programme, which has supported over 15,000 participants from 200+ institutions in the UK and Ireland, She Leads has extended its impact globally, with programmes delivered in the Middle East, Sub-Saharan Africa and Central Asia.
Our approach
Learning outcomes
Participants will:
- Explore contemporary leadership models and their application in HE
- Understand gender equality, diversity and inclusion as strategic priorities
- Develop skills to challenge outdated norms and remove systemic barriers
- Foster positive, inclusive working cultures that enable all staff to thrive
Institutional benefits
Institutions that invest in She Leads will:
- Develop confident, capable women leaders who aspire to senior roles
- Strengthen organisational commitment to gender equality and inclusion
- Create safer, healthier and more equitable environments for staff and students
- Demonstrate alignment with global sustainability and equality agendas
