‘Aurora challenged every assumption I had about leadership’

When I first considered joining the Aurora, Advance HE’s leadership development programme for women in higher education, I wasn’t sure I belonged.  

I’m early in my academic career, working in engineering - a field where young women are still underrepresented. I spend much of my time surrounded by experienced professors whose achievements I admire deeply. It was inspiring, sure, but I also felt small and alone in it all. Like I was trying to find my place in a space not built with someone like me in mind. 

Leadership? That felt like something far off. Something for later. Maybe even something meant for other people, not someone just starting out, not someone still doubting whether they were good enough to be here. 

But then, people around me, colleagues I respect, encouraged me to think differently. They said, “It’s never too early to think about leadership.” That stuck with me. With their support, I applied for Aurora, and my university backed me. That decision changed how I see myself, my career and what leadership truly means. 

Facing invisible barriers 

As a woman in higher education, I’ve navigated challenges that are hard to talk about. Family responsibilities weigh heavily. I often think about how to give my best at work and still be present at home. The idea of maternity leave carries not just the joy of starting a family, but the fear of what career uncertainty it might bring. 

And in a male-dominated field like engineering, the sense of isolation is very real. I often keep my concerns to myself - not because they don’t matter, but because it’s hard to find others who understand. 

From a young age, I was told not to be “too ambitious.” That message lingered. It made me second-guess whether I should even want leadership, let alone pursue it. But deep down, I knew I needed to find a space where those doubts could be challenged - and Aurora offered exactly that. 

What I hoped to gain and what I found 

I joined Aurora hoping to connect with other women in higher education. I wanted to hear their stories, their successes and their struggles. I wanted to learn how they managed to lead without losing themselves. I hoped to find tools and also to find a sense of belonging. 

What I got was even more powerful. 

Listening to the lived experiences of senior women leaders gave me clarity. Their honest reflection on the setbacks, resilience and ongoing nature of leadership growth reminded me that no one starts out fully ready. That leadership isn’t about perfection. It’s about authenticity, reflection and practice. That realisation was a turning point. 

I also gained practical skills. Interactive sessions built my self-awareness and gave me strategies I could apply immediately. More than that, they gave me the confidence to use my voice and trust my instincts. 

Redefining leadership 

Aurora challenged every assumption I had about leadership. 

I realised that leadership isn’t about having all the answers or waiting until I’m 100% ready. It’s about showing up, being true to who I am and lifting others along the way. 

I started to see emotional intelligence not as a weakness but as a strength. I understood how much invisible labour, such as supporting students, doing EDI work, emotional caregiving, is quietly done by women and how rarely it’s recognised. And I saw the need not just to do this work, but to advocate for its value. 

One lightbulb moment came when I heard: “Leadership growth is a practice, not a destination.” That stuck with me. It gave me permission to stop waiting and start becoming. 

Why women’s leadership matters 

When more women lead, more women follow. Role models inspire action and ambition. 

Supporting women isn’t only about opening doors, it’s about removing the hidden barriers. To change this, institutions must value and reward the full spectrum of leadership work, not just the visible or traditionally male-coded forms. 

What’s next? 

For me, Aurora was a starting point. I’m more committed to leading in a way that reflects who I am, and I’ll be more active in connecting with others, especially those who feel unsure or unseen. 

If you’re thinking about joining Aurora, my advice is simple: do it. Not because you have all the answers, but because you’re ready to ask better questions. Because you want to grow. Because you deserve to take up space. 

Leadership doesn’t mean leading alone. It means bringing people together, supporting each other and building a culture where everyone can thrive.  

A powerful message from one Aurora session has stayed with me: “Successful leaders aren’t expected to know everything, they create a safe place where others can shine.” 

Lei Zeng is a Lecturer in Fashion Technology at The University of Manchester, with a strong commitment to integrating research-led innovation into teaching. Her work focuses on sustainable fashion and functional textiles, bridging academic research and education through course leadership and student supervision.