The Aurora Leadership Programme is an initiative by Advance HE, which brings together leadership experts, higher education providers, and research institutes to empower women and drive positive change. I was drawn to Aurora because it closely aligns with my aspirations to grow as a leader and progress in my professional journey.
The program’s focus on addressing the gender imbalance in leadership, combined with expert-led training, practical activities, and mentoring, offers a unique opportunity to build confidence, refine leadership skills, and expand my professional network.
I first learned about the programme through internal University comms and, with the encouragement of my line manager, Ann Gledson, I decided to apply. The application process itself was thorough, involving a detailed form that focused on my leadership potential, career readiness, and areas for growth. Applicants were assessed based on their written responses, and the process took 5 weeks.
With 88 applications received across the university and only 16 positions available, the selection process was highly competitive. I am sincerely grateful for the support I have received from Research IT and from the University to pursue this opportunity.
My Journey in Research IT
Since joining Research IT as a Research Software Engineer in August 2022, I’ve had the privilege of contributing to projects that are both technically challenging and deeply impactful. These experiences have allowed me to develop my technical expertise while also building essential leadership skills—skills that Aurora is designed to further develop, helping me grow both personally and professionally.
The two key projects that I’m currently involved in are:
Turing Innovation Catalyst Manchester (TICM)
In this project, I work on developing AI solutions to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) harness AI for innovation. Beyond my technical role, I am also assisting in providing technical leadership by guiding the project’s direction, ensuring the selection of the most suitable technologies to optimize performance and efficiency, and driving early-stage progress to prevent potential delays.
In this project, I collaborate with researchers to improve ECG interpretability for early detection of heart conditions. My responsibilities include transforming research concepts into software, implementing data-driven algorithms, and leading the technical aspects. I also ensure clear communication between stakeholders and drive collaboration to deliver impactful results.
The Significance of this Opportunity for Research IT
Aurora offers more than just leadership development; it’s an opportunity to explore new leadership strategies, collaborate across teams, and promote equity in the workplace. The mentorship component, in particular, is one of the most exciting aspects for me. Learning from experienced leaders and gaining new perspectives will be invaluable as I continue to refine my leadership style and apply these insights to my work in Research IT.
The insights and perspectives I expect to gain from the programme will help me collaborate more effectively with researchers, empower me to lead projects more efficiently, and foster stronger interdisciplinary partnerships, benefiting both my team and the researchers I work with.
In the long run, I see this programme as a stepping stone to future leadership opportunities, where I can assume more prominent roles within my areas of interest. I am excited to continue building on my leadership skills, broadening my perspectives, and applying these learnings to make a meaningful impact in both Research IT and the broader field of Research Software Engineering.
This marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter in my professional journey, and I’m eager to see how this Programme will shape my future contributions.