Explore the key role women play in addressing systemic challenges and learn to drive change towards a more sustainable, inclusive, and equitable organisation and society.
8 weeks,
excluding orientation
7–10 hours per week,
self-paced learning online
Weekly modules,
flexible learning
This is your opportunity to unleash your potential for extraordinary impact. By completing a course with CISL, you'll develop the skills, confidence, and network to lead change in your sector, organisation and sphere of influence to make significant contributions to society. Extraordinary change happens when passionate and inspired individuals share a common purpose to drive meaningful impact for the collective good.
This course is certified by the United Kingdom CPD Certification Service, and may be applicable to individuals who are members of, or are associated with, UK-based professional bodies. The course has an estimated 80 hours of learning.
Note: should students wish to claim CPD activity, the onus is upon them. The University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership and GetSmarter accept no responsibility, and cannot be held responsible, for the claiming or validation of hours or points.
Over the duration of this online short course, you’ll work through the following modules:
Module 1 Shaping the future we want
Understand the world in which we operate, the systemic challenges we face, and the important role that women can play in leading change.
Module 2 Being an agent of change
Familiarise yourself with the evolving theories of leadership and identify potential levers of change.
Module 3 Building confidence and catalysing impact
Explore methods to increase your confidence and personal impact.
Module 4 Leading flourishing and effective teams
Learn how to create a psychologically safe workplace, build strong relationships, and nurture a team for long-term effectiveness.
Module 5 Cultivating purpose-led organisations
Understand the importance of leading with purpose to drive transformational change.
Module 6 Collaborating for positive impact
Explore how to proactively engage with stakeholders in order to overcome barriers and maximise collaboration.
Module 7 Creating your leadership action plan for transformational change
Consolidate your learning to compile a leadership action plan for transformational change.
Module 8 Expanding the community leading change
Share your leadership action plan and build a network of peers.
Please note that module titles and their contents are subject to change during course development.
1
An understanding of the systemic challenges women face, and the confidence, resilience, and leadership skills to play your role in leading necessary change.
2
An authentic leadership style and voice to communicate with influence and the tools to create your personal narrative.
3
The skills to create purpose-led, psychologically safe environments, build strong relationships, and nurture teams for long-term effectiveness, with a focus on the value of sustainability.
4
A leadership action plan to drive transformational change and make a positive impact in your sphere of influence, supported by a community of female leaders.
Zoë Arden
Fellow and Associate Director, Leadership, University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership
Arden specialises in leadership, stakeholder engagement and storytelling. Before joining CISL, she served as director of SustainAbility (a global think tank and advisory firm) and as the director of communications and social responsibility of British Telecom. She has also held the position of managing director of the global communications consultancy Golin, among others. Arden draws on three decades of global business experience, 13 years of which were spent in managing director/director roles in complex organisations. She is also a co-author and contributor of research and reports on leadership development.
Martin Roberts
Director of Digital Learning, University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership
Roberts joined CISL as a programme director in 2008. He is an expert in strategic thinking, sustainability, and business leadership, having helped companies across sectors in Africa, Asia, and Europe develop their own solutions to natural resource challenges. Roberts is responsible for digital learning at CISL, and has a keen interest in using technology to create impactful educational opportunities, democratise learning, and promote change. By heading the design and delivery of CISL’s popular portfolio of online courses, Roberts has equipped thousands of business leaders to reshape their organisations and apply the innovative business models of the future.
This University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) online short course is delivered in collaboration with online education provider GetSmarter. Join a growing community of global professionals, and benefit from the opportunity to:
Gain verifiable and relevant competencies and earn invaluable recognition from an international selection of universities and institutions, entirely online and in your own time
Enjoy a personalised, people-mediated online learning experience created to make you feel supported at every step
Experience a flexible but structured approach to online education as you plan your learning around your life to meet weekly milestones