Community of practice

Find out how to get involved in our new research and practice community, supporting STEM women in higher educational leadership

As part of the project we will create a new research and practice community for: exchanging existing knowledge and ‘know-how’; producing new knowledge; building leadership capacity through peer mentoring and coaching; and celebrating women’s achievements to provide visible role models and case studies of success.

What is the STEM-POWER Community of Practice (CoP)?

The STEM-POWER CoP will be a new research and practice community for and about women's’ lives as leaders in HE. The aim of the STEM-POWER CoP is to support women research leaders and aspiring women research leaders to build leadership capital that will build confidence and capability.

  • It will provide a ‘safe-space’ opportunity for women leaders to share their experiences with trusted others and to build relationships with other women leaders experiences similar challenges and frustrations.
  • We can use it to exchange existing knowledge and ‘know-how’ and produce new understanding about working as a woman leader.
  • It will provide opportunities to celebrate achievements and gain recognition and build leadership capital.
  • It will build leadership capacity through peer mentoring and coaching.

How will the STEM-POWER CoP connect to other networks?

The STEM-POWER project will connect to other important CoPs in HE to support sustainability and national and international networking. Identified CoPs include:

  • EnPOWER Vietnam
  • International Professional Development Association (IPDA)

How will the CoP work?

  • We aim to recruit a minimum of 40 women across a profile range of age and experience.
  • The CoP will meet both online and face to face. Online events will bring together CoP members from across institutions. Face-to-face events will be hosted by CoP members in their own institutions.
  • Members will share the findings and provocations of the project in a dynamic way over the 12-month period of the project, providing opportunities for exploration and discussion of the issues emerging.
  • As the CoP matures and members’ relationships develop, it will also become a space to support peer mentoring and coaching as well as practice sharing.

When will the COP take place?

  • The CoP will be launched at the kick-off symposium and will run alongside the project.

How can I join the CoP?

  • If you would like to join the STEM-POWER Community of Practice please get in touch via french@bcu.ac.uk.
  • We look forward to hearing from you!