Kenya and Manchester Gender Equality Partnership
31 Jan 2025
Women’s Leadership Development Programme for Grade 8 + Academic and PS colleagues - apply before Wednesday, 26 February

Achieving Gender Equality in Higher Education is an essential catalyst for positive change for women’s rights and social justice. Despite institutional, sector and international policy and framework commitment the under-representation women in senior leadership/executive roles persists and must urgently be addressed.
Co-created between Kenya and Manchester partners, this programme provides safe spaces enabling experienced women leaders to share experiences and learnings.
- Key themes include global leadership perspectives; power, influence and voice; board level leadership and governance; reflexive, strategic leadership;
- Opportunity to reflect on leadership styles, legacy and impact, cross cultural challenges, enablers and barriers relating to policy, leadership practices and culture;
- Exploring intersectional gender stereotypes in leadership and the impact of gendered spaces (areas, activity and opportunities that may disadvantage women);
- Underpinned by peer action learning/coaching and networking with executive level leaders and wider women’s networks.
Who’s it for?
The programme is open to Grade 8+ Academic or PS women; with significant leadership experience at department/division level or above; aspiring to executive level leadership; committed to attend the majority of the programme including 4 online/hybrid workshops and a 2 day leadership retreat (at UoM, all dates below).
Programme Structure and Dates
The programme includes four three hour hybrid workshops, 10am - 1pm (GMT), on Friday, 21 March, Thurday 24 Apr, Friday, 16 May, and Thursday, 25 September 2025, and a two day Leadership Retreat, 9.30am - 3.30pm (GMT) Tuesday, 24 to Wednesday 25 June 2025.
There is also an opportunity to attend the Women in Higher Education Network (WHEN) (inter)national conference, Manchester on Thursday, 26 June 2025.
How to apply
- To apply please complete the online application form by midday Wednesday, 26 February 2025.
All successful applicants notified by 3 March 2025. The programme will begin on 21 March 2025.
The programme is funded by The University of Manchester and British Council Going Global Gender Equality Partnership Grant GEP2024–013 (Kenya-UK Partnership Transforming Senior Leadership Practices and Culture to Advance Intersectional Gender Equality in Institutions of Higher Education and Research). Participatory Research Opportunity: Participants and senior stakeholders will be invited to take part in ethically approved semi-structured interviews and focus groups leading to recommendations for action to widen perspectives on academic leadership norms, strengthen efforts to recognise and support women’s leadership expertise and promote equality of opportunity at senior leadership level.
Explore other EDI Leadership and Development Programmes at EDI Leaderships Programmes.