Insider, outsider: participating observer on a LGBTQ+ leadership development programme

Dr Alex Baird returns to explore their insider/outsider identities when researching an LGBTQ+ leadership programme.

LGBTQ+ leadership has often been overlooked in leadership and leadership development theory and practice. As a scholar of LGBTQ+ leadership, I was excited to hear about the United Kingdom's first LGBTQ+ leadership development programme in Higher Education (HE) at a university in the East of England. I knew accessing the rare programme presented the opportunity for me, as a researcher, to que(e)ry leadership and leadership development in UK HE using interviews and observations.

The programme consisted of three formal workshop days interspersed with individual mentorship which took place between September 2022 and May 2023. Programme members included both academic and professional staff (10 mentees who applied to the programme, seven mentors including one of the programme co-leaders, and the second programme co-leader). Workshops were supported by four external facilitators.