The British Council is inviting applications from researchers based at higher education institutions in Japan to participate in a four-part online seminar series titled “Online seminar series: Exploring gender equity in higher education and research leadership – an international perspective”.
This programme is delivered in collaboration with Advance HE, an organisation internationally recognised for its work in leadership development and equity in UK higher education. It is designed as a dialogue-based programme that brings together participants from diverse backgrounds, with a particular focus on Early Career Researchers (ECRs).
The programme aims to deepen participants’ understanding of the challenges faced by women as they progress into leadership roles in higher education. Through dialogue with peers and other participants, it also seeks to provide an opportunity for participants to reflect on their own career paths and expand their perspectives on future possibilities.
About the programme
Across higher education institutions worldwide, advancing gender equity is increasingly recognised as a key factor in enhancing organisational quality and research excellence, and a wide range of initiatives are being implemented.
In Japan, while challenges related to gender equity have long been identified, there has been growing momentum in recent years to promote the advancement of women and their participation in decision-making roles. However, even as policies and targets are being put in place, structural barriers remain within institutions, including organisational culture and unconscious bias, which cannot easily be overcome by individual effort alone. In this transitional phase, understanding what creates these barriers is in itself a crucial perspective for thinking about one’s career.
In this programme, participants will explore the challenges faced by women in becoming leaders in higher education. Drawing on international practices, from the UK, Australia and Hong Kong, the sessions will consider how these challenges can be understood and addressed within the Japanese context. Through dialogue and the sharing of experiences with other participants, individuals will have the opportunity to reflect on their own situations, articulate challenges, and gain new perspectives and insights.
Importantly, these issues are not only those faced by individual women researchers, but should also be shared among institutions, systems, and those who support and shape them. By bringing together participants from diverse roles and backgrounds, the programme aims to foster a broader understanding of more inclusive higher education environments.
Who should apply
This programme is designed for:
- Early Career Researchers (ECRs)
- Emerging leaders in higher education and research
- Individuals interested in advancing gender equity and inclusive leadership
- Those willing to actively participate and engage with peers
*While the programme is open to all, it is particularly aimed at women, as well as those committed to advancing gender equity, including allies, sponsors, and leaders seeking to create more inclusive research environment. Participants who are committed to promoting gender equality and acting as allies are warmly encouraged to apply.
Programme format
The seminar will be conducted online via Zoom and consists of four sessions (each lasting two hours). Simultaneous Japanese–English interpretation (audio) will be provided for each session.
Programme content
The seminar series will explore the following themes:
<Monday 13 July> Session 1: Why gender equity and women’s leadership matters
- Understand the case for gender equity in research and leadership
- Hear from a senior leader on navigating barriers and driving change
- Reflect on personal and institutional challenges and opportunities
<Friday 17 July> Session 2: What is leadership? Leading in your context
- Develop your leadership identity as an early career researcher
- Strengthen communication, visibility, and self-advocacy
- Explore mentoring, networks, and navigating academic hierarchies
<Thursday 23 July> Session 3: Peer problem-solving and confidence building
- Learn from panel insights on sponsorship, bias, and inclusive practices
- Engage in structured peer problem-solving using real challenges
- Identify practical strategies to support gender equity in your context
<Wednesday 29 July> Session 4: Applying leadership skills to real institutional challenges
- Learn and apply Action Learning Sets (ALS) methodology
- Work collaboratively on real leadership or research challenges
- Build skills in facilitation, questioning, and reflective practice
What you will gain
By the end of the series, participants will:
- Develop a clearer understanding of gender equity challenges and opportunities in higher education
- Strengthen their leadership identity, confidence, and communication skills
- Create a personal action plan to apply learning in their own context
- Build connections with a network of peers and allies
Lead trainer/facilitator
Baljit Birring / Senior Consultant, Inclusive Leadership, Advance HE
An expert in inclusive leadership and the promotion of gender equity, with extensive experience in higher education and government institutions.
Programme outline
Dates:
Session 1 - Monday 13 July 2026
Session 2 - Friday 17 July 2026
Session 3 - Thursday 23 July 2026
Session 4 - Wednesday 29 July 2026
*Participation in all four sessions is strongly recommended.
Time: 12:00-14:00 JST (for all sessions)
Venue: Online (Zoom)
Language: English and Japanese (simultaneous interpretation provided)
Fee: Free *Registration required.
Organiser: British Council
How to apply to participate
Please register your interest from the online form: https://bit.ly/seminar-jul26
Enquiries regarding this event
Please contact the British Council Japan Education team by email: ihe@britishcouncil.or.jp
About Advance HE
Advance HE is a global, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to improving higher education through expertise in leadership development, teaching and learning, and equality, diversity and inclusion. Working with institutions, governments, and sector bodies worldwide, Advance HE brings extensive international experience and evidence-based practice to support meaningful and sustainable change.
Through this programme, participants will benefit from Advance HE’s deep understanding of higher education systems and its proven track record in developing inclusive leadership capability across diverse global contexts.
About the British Council
The British Council is the UK’s international culture and education organisation. We support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide.
Over the past few years, the British Council Japan Education team has been exploring how it can make a meaningful contribution to advancing gender equality within the higher education sector in Japan, particularly in increasing the representation of women in leadership and research roles. Through a combination of desk-based research, targeted interviews, and workshops with sector stakeholders, several potential approaches were identified.
This online series responds directly to one of the key opportunities identified: the provision of structured learning programmes focused on gender and leadership. These programmes create a space for academic and professional staff to engage with new perspectives, reflect on their own experiences, and connect with external ideas and practices that can help foster more inclusive and equitable environments across higher education.