Four women working across the University of the Highlands and Islands have been selected for a national leadership programme designed to help more women progress into influential roles in higher education.

Cat Meighan from UHI Moray, Sarah-Jane Rogers from UHI North, West and Hebrides, Fran Stuart from UHI Inverness and Selina-May Miller from UHI Shetland will take part in Advance HE’s Aurora Leadership Development Programme during the 2026 to 2027 academic year.

Their places are being funded by UHI’s Learning and Teaching Academy, continuing the university partnership’s commitment to supporting women who demonstrate leadership potential.

The programme brings together more than 200 women from universities and colleges across Scotland, offering opportunities to develop confidence, strengthen professional relationships and explore new approaches to leadership.

Participants come from both academic and professional services backgrounds, reflecting the many different roles involved in delivering further and higher education.

For UHI, whose campuses and learning centres stretch across the Highlands and Islands, Moray and Perthshire, encouraging leadership across its partnership is an important part of developing its people.

The university has supported participation in Aurora since 2018, with 48 colleagues completing the programme during that period.

Feedback from previous participants has highlighted positive changes in their professional practice and approach to leadership.

This year’s four participants will attend four development days covering key aspects of leadership, alongside two action learning sessions designed to help them reflect on challenges and share experiences.

Each will also be matched with a mentor through UHI’s University Mentoring Scheme, providing individual guidance throughout the programme.

Lorna Walker, UHI Chief Operating Officer and Aurora Institutional Champion, welcomed the selection of the four colleagues.

She said:

“Across UHI, women bring expertise, ambition and fresh perspectives to their work.

“Supporting them to develop as leaders is an investment in their futures and in the future of our partnership.

“Aurora gives our colleagues space to recognise their strengths, build supportive networks and take the next step in their leadership journey.

“Congratulations to Cat, Sarah-Jane, Fran and Selina-May.

“I look forward to seeing how they use this experience to shape change and inspire other women to pursue their leadership ambitions.”

The opportunities will continue beyond the formal programme, with participants encouraged to apply their new skills within UHI and contribute to the development of other colleagues.

They may also become involved in the university’s Women’s Network, share their experiences at institutional events and support future Aurora participants through mentoring.

This approach is intended to create a lasting network of women helping one another develop professionally and take on greater responsibilities.

UHI’s Learning and Teaching Academy will provide continuing support, alongside colleagues who have already completed the programme.

For Cat, Sarah-Jane, Fran and Selina-May, the coming year offers an opportunity to learn from women across Scotland while building on the experience they already bring to their own institutions.

And for UHI, their participation represents another step towards ensuring that talented women across its geographically diverse partnership have the support and opportunities to shape its future.