The SDF is delighted to give an update on a programme that has been heralded an unmitigated success and was 2021 joint winner of the Staff Development Forum’s Developing Excellent Practice Awards. It then went on to win the 2022 UHR award for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.
Elevate is a cross-institutional leadership development programme for individuals who identify as female from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds.
Watch a short video about Elevate
Initiated by the University of Bristol, the universities of Cardiff, Bath and Exeter worked together to commission an innovative pilot. Since its inception both UWE and Bath Spa have joined the programme.
This creative programme aimed to encourage participants to reflect, explore and grow through connecting and building solidarity together and to centre the lived experiences and development needs of women.
The programme offered an engaging and bespoke combination of interactive online and face to face sessions and resources, Action Learning Groups, cross-institutional Mentoring and a growing alumni network.
Additionally, participants are buddied up and worked on a personal development project of their own choice, that would support their career development and have impact in their organisation.
Evaluation feedback demonstrates impact on self-esteem, confidence to challenge existing beliefs and barriers; and the development of networks. “It has given me the confidence to go for jobs I previously wouldn’t have had the confidence and self-belief to go for”.
The outcomes and impact of the programme evidence the power of centring the lived experience of individuals. The longer term sustainability of the learning is embedded by supporting line managers to actively support the participants and open up opportunities for systemic organisational change.
Watch a short video about Elevate
For further information, please contact: elevate-programme@bristol.ac.uk.