Empowering Female Leaders in Higher Education

Empowering Female Leaders in Higher Education through International Peer-to-Peer Mentoring

This collaborative project between Ternopil Volodymyr Hnatiuk National Pedagogical University (Ukraine) and the University of Worcester (UK) aims to address the underrepresentation of women in senior academic roles across both countries. Through international peer-to-peer mentoring, professional development, and policy advocacy, the project supports the transformation of higher education leadership by placing gender equality at the centre of institutional change.

The ongoing war in Ukraine has deepened existing gender inequalities in higher education, placing increased burdens on female academics who are underrepresented in leadership and often overlooked in institutional recognition. Despite making up a large portion of the academic workforce, Ukrainian women have taken on critical, often unpaid roles—ensuring educational continuity, supporting communities, and managing crisis response—all while facing systemic barriers. Ultimately, the project is not only a reaction to the impact of war, but a long-term strategy to advance gender equality and build more inclusive, resilient higher education systems particularly in counties where political unrest, war or cultural shifts impact the role of women in higher Education.

This project offers a timely response by empowering women through international peer-to-peer mentoring, leadership training, and collaborative learning between Ukraine and the UK. It aims to build individual leadership capacity while fostering institutional cultures that support gender-sensitive leadership. The initiative also provides UK partners with valuable insights from Ukrainian counterparts, highlighting shared challenges and fostering mutual growth.

Goals of the project

1. Empower aspiring female leaders in higher education through targeted training and mentorship.
2. Identify and address structural and cultural barriers to women’s leadership in academia.
3. Facilitate international cooperation and the sharing of best practices between the UK and Ukraine.
4. Promote institutional policy reform that supports gender-sensitive leadership.
5. Raise awareness of gender inequality and challenge stereotypes in higher education.

Key project stages

The project includes a combination of research, leadership training, mentoring, and community-building. Activities are focused on identifying the specific barriers women face in higher education leadership in both countries and supporting participants in developing the skills, confidence, and networks to overcome them.

Focus groups will provide insight into institutional and cultural obstacles, while workshops will cover areas such as strategic thinking, public speaking, negotiation, and crisis management. A cross-border mentorship programme will pair experienced leaders with emerging ones, facilitating peer-to-peer learning and support. International events will provide space for reflection, dialogue, and collaboration between UK and Ukrainian participants.

Project timeline

In the first six months, partnerships will be solidified, research will be launched, and leadership development activities will begin. In the mid-term, the project will expand its outreach through advocacy campaigns, training sessions, and events. In the final phase, the impact of the initiatives will be evaluated, research will be consolidated, and sustainable strategies for future gender equality efforts will be proposed.

• Short-Term (0–6 months)
  Establish partnerships, initiate research, and launch leadership development activities.
• Mid-Term (6–12 months)
  Expand training, conduct advocacy campaigns, and host international networking events.
• Long-Term (12–18 months)
  Evaluate impact, publish findings, and develop sustainable strategies for gender equality in HEIs.

Strategic relevance

This initiative is closely aligned with the Ukrainian government’s "Strengthening Gender Equality in Higher Education" strategy and the State Strategy of Gender Equality until 2030. It supports the principles of UN Resolution 1325 and contributes to the creation of a resilient academic workforce that reflects humanitarian values and gender equity. The project also speaks to the ongoing challenges in UK higher education, where gender parity in leadership remains an unfulfilled goal.

Aligned with Ukraine’s “Strengthening Gender Equality in Higher Education” (2022) strategy and UN Resolution 1325.

Responds to systemic challenges in both the UK and Ukraine, including understaffing, lack of gender-sensitive tools, and institutional barriers.

Supports the Ukrainian Government’s Gender Equality Strategy to 2030 by building local capacity and fostering leadership.

Expected impact

By empowering female academics to lead during times of peace and crisis, the project contributes to long-term institutional transformation. It recognises the creativity, resilience, and leadership potential of women in academia and provides them with the tools and platforms to enact change. This initiative affirms that inclusive leadership is essential to a thriving higher education system—and that mentorship, collaboration, and mutual support are powerful drivers of progress.

• Increased representation of women in academic leadership roles.
• Stronger institutional policies supporting gender equality.
• Lasting partnerships between UK and Ukrainian HEIs.
• A cross-border community of women leaders driving inclusive change.

Partners

Supported by the British Council Gender Equality Partnerships Grant Scheme.