SPRINGBOARD - Addressing the under-representation of women in Higher Education leadership: Ukraine and UK

Project Overview

This project addresses the under-representation of women in higher education leadership in Ukraine and the UK by focusing on the unique leadership challenges women face during times of crisis. By examining the common barriers that have intensified due to the COVID-19 pandemic, austerity that disproportionately affects women, and the social, economic, and security crises generated by Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, this project aims to equip aspiring women leaders in Ukraine and UK with the skills and support needed to overcome these obstacles and drive positive change within HEIs.

The principal output of the project is the development, piloting and evaluation of an online course to assist women academics overcome the barriers they face in aspiring to become leaders in Higher Education. Research shows that increasing the participation of women in leadership positions in the education sector has a significant impact on economic growth and social cohesion. The online course, which will focus on leadership skills and innovation, will have a direct and lasting impact on economic stability and social welfare over the next 3-5 years, ensuring long-term benefits for both countries.

The SPRINGBOARD project is a gender-transformative approach to addressing women’s under representation in leadership in HE in UK and Ukraine.

Project Objectives

• Undertake a Barrier Analysis to better understand the obstacles preventing women’s representation in Higher Education leadership in UK and Ukraine and to explore ways to address these barriers.
• Develop, pilot and evaluate an online course to assist women academics overcome these barriers. 
• Monthly ‘Thought Leadership’ webinars will connect with audiences in advance of roll out of course in Ukraine.
• Make recommendations to Higher Education Institutions, Ministries of Education and other key stakeholders as to how the representation of women in Higher Education  leadership can be improved.

Aims of the proposed online course are to:

• Increase the number of women in leadership roles in the post-war recovery in Higher Education Institutions in Ukraine, by empowering women in periods of crisis, so their roles in society are recognized and valued. 
• Giving women the skills to act as leaders during and post crisis, so they can contribute to the social and economic recovery of their country, Higher Education Institutions, community and families. 

Project Impact

This project will contribute to current debates and research concerning the barriers faced by women aspiring to become leaders in Higher Education Institutions in UK and Ukraine in times of crisis. This will be achieved through peer reviewed papers published in high ranking journals as well as contributions to national and international conferences.

In addition, the project will have direct societal impacts in addressing the challenges that women aspiring to become leaders experience within Higher Education Institutions in UK and Ukraine. This will be realized through undertaking a barrier analysis of the obstacles that women experience in their careers, as well as the development and evaluation of an on-line course. In addition, policy recommendations will be disseminated to key stakeholders via the ‘Thought Leaders’ webinars, policy briefs and end of project online conference.

We will monitor and measure the representation of women in senior management and governing bodies within Partner Higher Education Institutions, institutional targets and increased confidence in women academics at the end of the project and beyond through the Centre for Gender Studies and Gender Equality Support at ANU.

Outputs

1. Two refereed research papers exploring the barriers to women’s progress in leadership roles in Higher Education Institutions in UK, Ukraine and beyond.
2. National Policy Brief containing recommendations to address the barriers.
3. Online course aimed at women academics in UK and Ukraine Higher Education.
4. Institutions to empower and give them the skills and confidence to apply for leadership positions.
5. Online conference at the conclusion of the project.
6. Thought Leader’ Webinars.