WATTLE leadership program
What is WATTLE?
Established in 2018, the WATTLE (Women ATTaining LEadership) Program is an intensive leadership development and networking program that empowers women to attain and succeed in senior university leadership roles.
Designed and run by senior academic and professional staff from across the sector, WATTLE brings together women identified as potential leaders to:
🌿 Empower women to step into senior leadership roles across academic and professional areas
🌿 Strengthen the pipeline of women leaders in higher education
🌿 Address gender imbalance in senior academic and managerial positions
🌿 Develop an Australia-wide network of women, promoting collaboration and continued professional growth
🌿 Build leadership skills that enhance the research, teaching, and administrative capability of universities
🌿 Contribute to the Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) program, improving equity, diversity and inclusion in higher education and research.
There are two streams of the WATTLE Program:
- Academic stream – For Associate Professors and Professors, with consideration also given to Level C staff currently acting in these roles or undertaking substantial leadership responsibilities, who aspire to leadership positions such as head of discipline, associate dean, director of a research centre, pro vice-chancellor or deputy vice-chancellor.
- Professional stream – For HEW 9–10 professional staff, including those currently acting at this level, who aspire to leadership positions with significant people and budget responsibilities (e.g. directors or people leaders of student services, HR, legal, marketing or facilities).
Each year Federation University reserves two places in both the academic and professional streams.
Eligible staff will be notified by email when applications open. The process involves:
- Submitting an expression of interest (EOI) form
- Shortlisting and selection of University representatives
- Commitment to attend the online introduction session and the four-and-a-half-day residential program.
Travel expenses are covered by the University.
Applications for each year’s program open at different times for academic and professional staff.
- When the EOI process is live, eligible staff will be emailed with details and link to the EOI to apply.
- Between programs, staff are encouraged to review the FAQs, connect with Federation alumnae, and learn more about the program to prepare for future opportunities.
> VIEW: Frequently asked questions (FAQs) - Academic staff (PDF, 118kb)
> VIEW: Frequently asked questions (FAQs) - Professional staff (PDF, 127kb)
- Read more on the WATTLE Program website.
- Reach out to Federation WATTLE alumnae to hear first-hand experiences about the program, its impact and upcoming opportunities.
- Explore the FAQs linked above.
Since 2019, more than 20 academic and professional women leaders from Federation University have participated in the WATTLE program, joining a national alumnae network of over 200 women.
Our alumnae represent a wide range of leadership roles across the University, from Pro Vice-Chancellors and Associate Professors to senior professional staff.
Through the Federation Wattle Alumni network, participants continue to connect, share experiences, and support the next generation of aspiring leaders. Regular informal networking events will be held, with more offerings and opportunities to come.
Please reach out to one of our current Federation alumnae to hear about the program, its impact and the upcoming opportunities available.
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