EWORA - Academic Leadership and Mentoring Program for Women, 2026- 2027

EWORA - Academic Leadership and Mentoring Program for Women, 2026- 2027

1. Introduction & Rationale

European Women Rectors Association- EWORA will during spring 2026 initiate a pilot leadership program designed to prepare women leaders for top academic leadership roles by offering knowledge in values-led and strategic academic leadership, the building of international networks, tailored mentoring, peer learning and exchange, as well as practical leadership training and tools. The intention is to inspire a transition to the highest academic leadership positions. The program will be conducted primarily online, but participation in EWORA conferences will also be a part of the one-year program. The main format will be mentoring and training in a group but at the end of the program individual mentors will, if there is an interest, be introduced for one more year.

EWORA is committed to advancing gender balance at the very top of academic leadership in Europe but also globally. Although many women have reached senior positions such as deans and vice-rectors, the step to become rector/president/vice-chancellor remains difficult due to persistent structural and cultural barriers, limited peer mentoring opportunities, and underrepresentation in high-level boards and international networks.

2. Objectives

● Prepare for Top Academic Leadership Roles: By using a collaborative and inclusive pedagogical approach, equip participants with knowledge, skills, confidence, and strategic insights needed to successfully apply for and serve as top academic leaders.

● Strengthen Leadership Competence: Facilitate learning in strategic and values-led academic leadership, governance, change management and stakeholder engagement at the institutional level.

● Build a High-Level Network: Enable a European peer community of women leaders who support one another beyond the program.

● Advance Gender Equality: Contribute to closing the gender gap in top university leadership, a core mission of EWORA.

3. Target Group

● Women currently serving as vice-rectors, deans, or equivalent senior academic leaders who demonstrate readiness and ambition to take the next step in their academic leadership careers.

4. Nomination Process

Deadline for nominations: 15 January 2026

Each nomination should include:
• A short CV
• A support letter from the institution

Nominations and enquiries should be sent to:
info@ewora.org

Eligibility & Participation

Nominations should be submitted by the Rector/President of the university or an officially authorized member of the senior leadership (e.g., Vice-Rector or equivalent).

An international review committee comprising women rectors will review the nominations and select the participants who will be invited to the leadership program. One intention is to create a diverse group of women academic leaders from different countries and with different backgrounds and academic disciplines.

EWORA Member Universities

• May nominate up to two (2) candidates
• No participation fee for selected nominees
• Home university covers travel and accommodation for the Brussels session

Non-Member Universities

• May nominate up to two (2) candidates
• Programme fee: €300 per selected nominee
• Home university covers travel and accommodation for the Brussels session

Program Timeline

Call for Nominations	Nov 2025 – 15 Jan 2026	Institutions submit nominations
Cohort Selection	Jan – Feb 2026	Review and confirmation
Program Kick-off	18 March 2026	Theme 1 – Online
Session 2	8 April 2026	Theme 2 – Online
Session 3	13 May 2026	Theme 3 – Online
In-person Workshop during EWORA Conference	9 June 2026	Theme 4- Brussels
Session 5	16 September 2026	Theme 5- Online
Session 6	21 October 2026	Theme 6 – Online
Session 7	18 November 2026	Theme 7 – Online
Final Session	26 January 2027	Theme 8– Online

THEMES

Please note that all thematic sessions will be conducted online. The only in-person component of the programme will be the workshop session in Brussels on 9 June 2026. The participants are also expected to take part in the EWORA conference in Brussels the 8 of June 2026.

Each session is expected to last approximately two hours; however, depending on the content of the session, the duration may be slightly shorter or longer.

Theme 1 – Introduction | 18 March 2026, 2:00 pm CET

Kerstin Tham, Former Vice-Chancellor, Malmö University, Sweden
Eva Åkesson, Former Vice-Chancellor, Uppsala University, Sweden