The University of York hosted colleagues from across the White Rose University Consortium this week for a special joint celebration bringing together participants from the Crucible and Equity in Leadership (EiL) programmes. Delegates from the Universities of Leeds, Sheffield and York came together to reflect on their achievements, reconnect with peers, and recognise the impact of these two flagship initiatives.

The day began with a reunion for the 2025 Crucible cohort, followed by the announcement of two new Crucible Seed Fund awards, supporting early-stage interdisciplinary research ideas developed through the programme. While details of the individual funded projects will be announced publicly next week, the awards mark an important milestone for participants who have spent the past year building collaborative networks across institutions and disciplines.

Participants from both programmes then took part in a joint CV and application workshop led by Anderson Quigley, designed to support professional development and build confidence in navigating future career opportunities. This shared session reflected the strong alignment between the aims of the Crucible and EiL programmes: developing leadership potential, expanding research horizons and fostering an inclusive, supportive culture across the White Rose universities.

Delegates heard from Professor Charlie Jeffery, Vice-Chancellor of the University of York and Chair of the White Rose University Consortium Board, who spoke about the long-standing partnership between the three universities and the value of cross-institution collaboration.

“The White Rose partnership shows what can happen when universities choose to work together to drive change. The Crucible and Equity in Leadership programmes embody that collaborative spirit—bringing together talented colleagues, nurturing their leadership potential, and creating networks that strengthen not just our three institutions but the sector as a whole. Today’s celebration reflects the collective hard work, creativity, and commitment to positive change that has defined both programmes.”

Following his address, participants joined senior colleagues for a networking lunch before the afternoon was dedicated to celebrating the achievements of the Equity in Leadership cohort. The EiL programme supports colleagues from global majority backgrounds across academia and professional services to build leadership confidence, explore identity and influence, and shape more equitable cultures within their institutions.

Participants heard from Maria Ayaz, Head of Equality and Diversity at York, who shared her experiences one year on from the programme before certificates were presented by Professor Kiran Trehan, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Enterprise, Partnerships and Engagement at the University of York, who acknowledged the significance of the cohort’s contribution to advancing equity and representation across the White Rose universities.

The White Rose University Consortium, which has brought together Leeds, Sheffield and York for nearly 30 years, continues to invest in initiatives that enable staff to thrive, build meaningful networks and lead positive change within higher education.

Reflecting on the event, Karen Hinxman, Head of the White Rose University Consortium emphasised the importance of the programmes’ shared impact.

“Both Crucible and Equity in Leadership empower colleagues to step into their strengths, connect across institutions and shape the future of our universities. What we saw today was the power of community—people learning from one another, supporting one another, and recognising that leadership and innovation flourish when we create space for everyone’s voice.”

The celebration closed with congratulations to all participants completing this year’s programmes and an invitation to continue building on the ideas, relationships and momentum generated through their time with White Rose.