Equity in Leadership

Applications now open for Equity in Leadership 2025

Kirsty Bowen

Are you an aspiring senior leader at The University of Sheffield, University of Leeds, and University of York? Our funded ‘Equity in Leadership’ programme equips you with the skills and network to excel. Applications are now open for staff from global majority backgrounds, including those in academia and professional services who identify as Black, Asian, or other Minority Ethnicities. Develop your leadership: Enhance your skills, build confidence and gain a competitive edge. Build your network: Connect with a supportive community of like-minded individuals. Shape a cultural shift towards a more inclusive and equitable leadership in higher education. Find out more about the programme on our Equity in Leadership page or email us at info@whiterose.ac.uk  Applications close at 12:00 on Friday, 28 February 2025.  

A group of people from the Equity in Leadership programme

White Rose celebrates first cohort of Equity in Leadership programme

Kirsty Bowen

Colleagues from our partner universities celebrated the end of the first ever White Rose University Equity in Leadership programme with a special event at the University of Leeds.   The celebratory event marked the achievements of the inaugural group of diverse leaders from the universities of Leeds, Sheffield and York and the launch of next year’s scheme which is now open for applications.  The Equity in Leadership programme is aimed at fostering diversity and higher education leadership. The initiative offers targeted leadership development for staff from global majority* backgrounds, including those in academic and professional services.   The programme adopts an equity-based approach to accelerate career progression for global majority talent, with the ultimate goal of diversifying leadership within higher education.  The event, hosted at the University of Leeds and attended by senior leaders and programme participants from all three universities.   Celebrating transformative achievements  Although it is still too early to measure the full impact of the Equity in Leadership programme, nearly a quarter of participants have secured promotions since joining the programme.   Beyond the goal of career advancement, participants have expressed how the programme has already contributed to their personal and professional development, describing it as a “transformative” and “revelatory” …

Kalliopi Keramari

Spotlight on Leadership: Kalliopi Keramari, a 2024 Equity Programme Delegate

Melissa Green

At The White Rose University Consortium, we are proud to spotlight the remarkable individuals who participated in the 2024 Equity in Leadership Programme. This pioneering cross-institutional initiative is dedicated to fostering diversity and equity in higher education leadership, creating pathways for transformative career progression. Today, we shine a light on one of these inspiring leaders, showcasing their journey, aspirations, and the impact they’re making within and beyond their institution. Kalliopi Keramari , Philanthropy Manager, University of York: Growing up in a global majority household shaped who I am today. In true Greek tradition, family was at the core of everything. I lived next door to my grandparents with my brother and two cousins. With both my parents working, my grandmother played a central role in our lives—cooking for all of us daily and always being the one to greet us after school. Sundays were sacred; all three households would come together for a family lunch, reinforcing the importance of family unity and togetherness.  From an early age, my upbringing taught me invaluable lessons: family is everything, education is key to success, and respecting the elderly is non-negotiable. These values were instilled in me by my family and community, and they …

York hosts transformative Equity in Leadership programme

Melissa Green

In a significant step towards fostering diversity and inclusion in higher education leadership, the University of York is hosting a White Rose Universities Equity in Leadership Programme event. In July the University welcomed participants of the Equity in Leadership Programme to campus for an innovative workshop on communication, change, and personal branding. This event marks a significant milestone in our commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion in higher education leadership. The White Rose Equity in Leadership Programme, a pioneering initiative developed by the White Rose University Consortium in collaboration with the Universities of York, Leeds, and Sheffield, aims to support the career progression of global majority talent. The programme’s equity-based approach is designed to diversify leadership within both academia and professional services. To read this story in full please click this link.