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Aurora is a women-only leadership development programme run by Advance (HE) former Leadership Foundation for Higher Education. Further details of the Aurora programme can be found on the following link: 

The RVC is in its fourth year of sponsoring female staff to take part in the programme.

Below are comments from the Aurora participants of their Aurora experience.

As part of progressing our Athena SWAN action plan, the College has supported eight women to take part in the Aurora Women’s Leadership Programme run by Advance HE (former Leadership Foundation).

Below is feedback from some of the delegates who have attended the course.

“Participating in the Aurora course was a valuable and inspiring experience. It gave us the opportunity to network and exchange ideas with women from all backgrounds working in higher education. The sessions were very interactive providing an excellent environment to discuss daily challenges and difficulties and work collectively on solutions for a variety of problems.”
Bettina Dunkel, Senior Lecturer, Equine.

“The Aurora course has been an inspiring and refreshing opportunity to meet new people and listen to experiences from effective leaders in a range of roles. Hearing different perspectives has helped me reflect on how best to provide opportunities for people within and outside of RVC; I’m looking forward to putting what I’ve learnt into practice.”
Dr Grace Mckintosh Sim, PSD.

“The Aurora Program reminded me that leadership isn’t just for those at the pinnacle of organisations, but is a quality which we can all develop and use to inspire and to influence our work colleagues.”
Dr Camila Benfield, Lecturer, PPS.

Attached is an article by Charlotte Dawson: Lecturer in Ophthalmology on her career development journey.