ASCILITE Women in Academic Leadership
Take the next step in your academic leadership journey with a community of women who understand its opportunities and challenges.
ASCILITE’s Women in Academic Leadership initiative (WiAL) brings together women at academic Levels C and D, or equivalent, with experienced mentors at Levels D and E. Over two years, participants support one another to progress in academia and build connections beyond their own institutions.
Application status: Expressions of interest are open
Apply here.
WiAL at a glance
- Duration: Two years.
- Mentees: Women at academic Levels C and D, or equivalent.
- Mentors: Academics at Levels D and E.
- Membership: Participants must be current ASCILITE members and maintain membership throughout the initiative.
What you can gain
WiAL offers space to discuss your aspirations and learn from colleagues with different experiences of academic leadership. Participation provides opportunities to:
- Explore career progression and academic promotion with experienced mentors and peers.
- Develop leadership skills, including communication, strategic planning and making your contributions visible.
- Participate in seminars on topics suggested by the cohort.
- Build professional relationships and support networks outside your own workplace.
How the mentoring community works
Successful mentees are matched with other mentees and mentors who have expertise in relevant areas. The community approach creates opportunities to share experience and support one another’s development over the two-year initiative.
We use small group mentoring (2 or 3 mentees per mentor) and meeting frequency is determined by each group but is typically monthly. Each group also agrees their goals and ways of working.
We also offer whole group webinars (usually around 3 each year) with Women leaders in the field. These are optional and also open to WiAL Alumni.
Experiences from the WiAL community
WiAL helped support and guide my career development and connected me with colleagues I continue to collaborate with years later from institutions across Australasia. (Mentee, 2021-22, Assoc/Prof. promoted to Professor)
Joining WiAL as a mentee was profound in my academic development growth, the structure, discussions, and focus is something rarely provided by or in our day jobs. Sharing the road with like minded travellers made this program so worthwhile. (Mentee, 2021-22, Senior Lecturer, promoted to Assoc/Prof.)
As a WiAL mentor this program provides support in ways often not yet realised. The collegiate discussions open doors to opportunities and experiences, providing support when and as needed. Being a mentor has brought great joy together, as everyone learns and grows over the time, sharing the load and successes, and the occasional disappointment together makes navigating academic leadership just that little bit easier. (Mentor, 2023-24, Assoc/Prof.)
For me, WiAL is about more than leadership. It’s about connecting, learning from and uplifting one another, recognising that everyone has something valuable to contribute. When we create opportunities for others to grow, lead and shine, we create a ripple effect of positive change. (Mentee, 2023-24, Assoc/Prof.)
During their participation in WiAL, cohort members have reported achievements including:
- Promotions to Associate Professor and Professor
- Taking on senior leadership roles, including Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor and university-wide Director of Teaching and Learning.
- Leading institutional initiatives in teaching quality, including fellowship programs and peer review of teaching.
- Sharing expertise through invited keynotes, international workshops and conference presentations.
- Contributing to national and international accreditation, awards and grant assessment.
- Completing a PhD and receiving recognition through ASCILITE awards and digital innovation award nominations.
- Leading communities of practice within universities and across Australia.
Join as a mentee
If you are a woman at academic Level C or D, or equivalent, WiAL offers an opportunity to explore your next career steps with support from experienced colleagues. In your expression of interest, explain your goals and the areas in which mentoring would be most valuable.
Selection is competitive. Successful applicants will be matched with a mentoring group according to relevant areas of expertise.
Apply here.
Contribute as a mentor
Mentors at academic Levels D and E contribute their experience and perspectives to support women progressing in academia. Mentoring is an opportunity to give back to the ASCILITE community and engage with colleagues beyond your own institution.
Previous WiAL participants who now meet the mentor eligibility requirements are encouraged to consider returning as mentors.
Apply here.
Key dates
- Expressions of interest open: 9 November 2026
- Applications close: Monday 7 December 2026
- Applicants notified: December 2026
- Mentor agreements due: January 2027
- Program begins: January 2027
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to be an ASCILITE member
Yes. Applicants must be current ASCILITE members and maintain their membership throughout the two-year initiative. You may join as an individual or enquire about access through your institution’s membership.
Explore ASCILITE membership options
Does participation guarantee promotion
No. WiAL provides mentoring and professional development opportunities, but participation does not guarantee promotion or any other specific career outcome.
What does participation cost
Participation is free for members. Membership costs $150.
Can I apply from outside Australia
Yes, but you will need to agree to meetings times at a mutually agreeable time with your group. For all group events such as the webinars, we will do our best to accommodate multiple time zones.
Find out more
For questions about WiAL or the application process, please contact one of the initiative’s co-chairs; Elaine Huber or Amanda White
