Inclusive Leadership Programme

The ILP undergoes redevelopment each year to integrate feedback and learning, so the ‘25-26 programme' may differ in structure, but the overall objectives remain consistent.

Induction

A 1-2-1 meeting over Teams with the Programme Director to address any questions or leadership challenges you have and to prepare you to participate in the programme.

• Explore your values and how these underpin your leadership style
• Articulate and troubleshoot your leadership vision
• Communicate your vision and build credibility
• Understand your own working style, and how to lead and collaborate with people with diverse working styles

• Build the fundamental skills for coaching and mentoring
• Practise coaching and receive feedback from observers
• Explore the difference between coaching and mentoring, and the pros and cons of giving advice

• Identify key relationships that enable you to lead, and how to negotiate them
• Explore communication frameworks and build clear communication skills
• Understand barriers to effective communication, and prepare for challenging but non-confrontational conversations

• Explore the barriers to career progression faced by academics at Oxford and how these interact with aspects of diversity and underrepresentation
• Learn how to proactively and strategically support inclusive career development and progression
• Develop a strategic proposal which will create positive change

Action Learning and Retrospective

Bringing together experiences from the whole programme and addressing challenges through action learning.

Keep in touch sessions

Opportunities to reconnect with your cohort and revisit programme themes.

Selection process

There are 75 places over 3 cohorts available for the academic year 2025-26, there is no cost associated with participation.

The selection process will be structured to achieve proportional representation across departments and a 1:2 ratio of professional services and academic leaders. As places are limited, efforts will be made to select applicants who have had fewer leadership development opportunities, and partial randomisation may also be used.

The ILP is open to anyone in the Medical Sciences Division who fits the eligibility criteria or that can demonstrate equivalent experience, however we are keen to receive applications from those who are under-represented in leadership roles. If you do not meet the eligibility criteria but would still like to apply, please outline your alternative experience in the application form.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility criteria for academic leaders:

• A minimum of 5 years’ line management experience in a research context or similar
• Completed supervision of 3 or more doctoral students or postdoctoral researchers
• Experience supporting group members to independence or similar progression
• Active contribution to your department/division, for example through working groups or committees
• Availability for programme dates

Eligibility criteria for professional services leaders:

• A minimum of 5 years’ line management experience
• Demonstrable responsibility for the strategic direction of your area and influence over the culture of your department or unit
• Involvement in research or support for those conducting research
• Availability for programme dates

As there are a limited number of places, efforts will be made to select applicants who have had fewer leadership development opportunities. If you do not meet the eligibility criteria but would still like to apply, please outline your alternative experience and how you would like to be considered.

Recruitment for the academic year 2026-27 opens on Monday, 13 of April, and closes on Friday, 29 of May.

To apply, please visit MSD Inclusive Leadership Programme Application.

If you have any questions about the programme please email the ILP Director Maddie Mitchell at ILP@medsci.ox.ac.uk

… the programme had directly influenced how I approach inclusive leadership in practice, particularly in leading with greater confidence, strengthening psychological safety within teams and being more deliberate in how culture and people management decisions are shaped… Participating alongside colleagues from different staff groups has helped surface common leadership challenges and reduced perceived boundaries between roles, reinforcing a more aligned and inclusive approach to leadership within departments.

HAF, Experimental Psychology

I found the Inclusive Leadership Programme outstanding. Under Maddie’s guidance I developed a deeper appreciation for reflective thinking and learned a range of approaches to tailor my leadership to different personalities and situations. The course equipped me to identify, understand and engage with diverse styles effectively, and has inspired me to embed regular reflective practice into my management. I highly recommend the ILP to anyone aiming to become a more adaptable and empathetic leader.

PSS leader, MSDO

… it affords exposure to diverse leadership perspectives and gives opportunities for expanding peer networks within the University. The in-person sessions run are critical to the many successes of the ILP... a well-considered blend of direction, prompting, and coaching to ensure everyone is empowered to get the most from the ILP. A compelling exemplar of best practice that should be rolled out to University of Oxford communities within and outside of MSD. This is the University’s chance to lead from the front and by example.

Director, MRC CoRE RND and NDCN BNDU

Participation in the ILP has had a profound impact on my personal development as a leader.  One of the challenges as a leader is having difficult conversations, in ILP I learned and practiced key skill sets to help me prepare and have difficult conversations so they are both effective and non-confrontational.

Professor Mark Coles, NDORMS

I found this to be a fantastically helpful and thought-provoking course. There was a great balance between theory and practice, with a lot of time given to trying out communication techniques. I learned so much from the cohort of senior leaders and this course has definitely changed how I work with my team.

Professor Pete Scarborough, NDPCHS

I was hoping to reflect on my leadership style and its impact on others within a supportive setting among like-minded individuals, guided by expert facilitators and challenged constructively. I'm pleased to say the course exceeded my expectations. I've gained enhanced knowledge, theoretical understanding, and the confidence to apply leadership models, which I anticipate will enhance my effectiveness as a leader.

Shaka Obhiozele, Head of Admin and Finance, Paediatrics

The ILP equips you with the tools and insights necessary to cultivate stronger relationships with your team and enhance connections with your peers. Through in-depth sessions and open conversations, it has helped me discover effective strategies for building meaningful bonds that foster collaboration and trust.

 Lesa Levett, Head of Admin and Finance, Women’s Reproductive Health