University of Edinburgh - Aurora Participant Recruitment Guidance
We are again looking for nominations for the Leadership Foundation for Higher Education’s Aurora
programme. Aurora is a women-only leadership development initiative that was launched in
November 2013. Since it began, 54 women from the University of Edinburgh have attended the
programme. Aurora is one of a number of leadership development options available across the
University.
This guidance aims to support an open and transparent recruitment and selection process for this
often oversubscribed leadership development programme.
Each participating University has a limited number of Aurora places; as a result the recruitment of
Aurora participants is a competitive process. At the University of Edinburgh we devolve our
selection process to each Head of College and Head of Support Group.
In 2016-17 a total of 20 places are available; these are spread across the Colleges/Support Groups.
Aurora addresses core areas associated with leadership success:
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Understanding organisations and the sector
Developing leadership behaviours, skills and knowledge
Identifying and overcoming barriers and obstacles
Growing confidence and a leadership identity
Building networks, coalitions and supporting processes
Selection Criteria
To participate an individual must meet the following criteria. They must:
 Be a woman
 Be in a role graded UE07 and UE08 or equivalent (Academic or Professional Services)
 Be interested in developing their career and their leadership skills. Or be identified as
someone who would benefit from developing their leadership skills.
o The aim is to reach women prior to their first significant step up. The programme is
intended to develop women with the potential for leadership, not just those who have
already shown a talent for it. Aurora provides a positive experience of leadership and
encourages participants to recognise their talent and capabilities and 'step-up' to
promoted posts.
 Have the time and willingness to focus on their personal development by engaging in some
self-directed learning as well as attending the set dates.
 Commit to attending for 4 development days, 1 action learning day, and participating in a
mentoring partnership as the mentee. Participants will also have access to some local
sessions within the University of Edinburgh to introduce, and evaluate the programme as
well as support their mentoring experience.
When is a person not right for Aurora?
A person has developed beyond the content found in the Aurora programme if they can already
confidently use their influence to motivate others to deliver on University goals and objectives.
These individuals are better suited to other leadership development programmes.
Process:
Aurora Recruitment Process
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Action By:
UoE Aurora Team
University of Edinburgh’s
Aurora team distributes
programme information
(including application form,
closing date) to each Head of
College and Head of Support
Group
University of Edinburgh’s
Aurora Team receives the
nominated participants’
application forms and
completes booking process
with the Leadership
Foundation for Higher
Education.
Head of College/Support Group
Potential candidate
NOTE: More detailed manager’s
responsibilities are in the guidance
Head of College/
Support Group sets and
communicates local
closing date and local
recruitment process
HoS, HoD and Managers have
discussions with eligible
participants
Complete the Manager’s
section of the application form
for eligible participants and
submits these to the Head of
College/Support Group
Complete
selection process* to
identify nominated
participants
Feedback given to Head of
School/Department/
Manager for all successful
and unsuccessful
candidates
Phase
Head of School/Dept and Manager
The University of Edinburgh’s Aurora team are:
Aurora Champion: Professor Jane Norman, VP People and Culture
Aurora Programme Liaison: Frances Grebenc and Ruth Miller
Interested staff
member completes
application form
and submits this to
their Manager/
Head of School/
Department
Staff News
article published
to provide
University wide
communication
regarding
Aurora
Programme
HoS, HoD and
Managers asses each
interested staff member’s
application using the
selection criteria.
Selection criteria not met
Manager communicates
decision to each candidate
* NOTE: Selection process may involve a small panel of staff
(i.e. HoC, College Registrar and HHR)
Manager’s Responsibilities
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Managers should communicate/advertise the programme to eligible staff; giving enough
time for staff to meet the closing date.
Managers should familiarise themselves with the aims of Aurora in relation to other
development options available to support informed discussion with interested staff.
Managers should consider discussing the Aurora programme with eligible staff at their
Annual Review.
Managers must consider all applications received from staff. Assessing the individual’s
suitability in comparison to the selection criteria.
Managers must complete the manager’s section in each eligible staff’s application form,
prior to submitting this form for consideration at the College/Support Group selection
process.
Managers must be prepared to provide appropriate feedback to both unsuccessful and
successful candidates and senior managers should consider how to handle this in advance.
Managers are responsible for following up with all successful participants after the
programme and check whether aims included on their application form have been achieved,
for example at their one to one meetings and annual review.