UCD Innovation Academy Dóchas Creative Leadership Development Programme
In December 2022 Dóchas announced a new leadership initiative in partnership with UCD Innovation Academy. Based on UCD’s successful Professional Diploma in Creativity, Innovation and Leadership, this course was for leaders in the international development and humanitarian sector who wanted to learn about creative leadership and enabling change in your organisation and beyond.
The programme was delivered between February and May 2023. 35 participants took part from a number of organisations and based in 9 different countries.
The Vision
In line with the Dóchas Strategy (2022 - 2026) the vision of the course was to encourage strong and diverse leadership in the Irish international development and humanitarian sector. The facilitators aimed to create a safe space for existing and emerging leaders to collaborate, learn & support each other and to explore creative ways to build leadership skills within the sector
The Design
The facilitators of the course, Ein McHugh and Jacinta Owens, in consultatiton with Dóchas, developed a number of key factors in the design of the course. They were;
- Experiential learning online
- Human centred
- Head, hands, heart
- Modelling the model : flexibility, adaptability, creativity
- Psychological safety creates new possibilities for collaboration
- Awakening dormant creativity and curiosity
- Creating space for inspiration
- Reflective practice as a tool for transformation
Feedback
After the course participants were asked to complete a survey. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive;
- 96% of survey respondents said their confidence had increased following the course
- 100% of survey respondents said the course was important in terms of supporting them to fulfil their role better
- 100% of survey respondents said the course helped them to make positive change and live well in their environment
In addition to the surveys, a number of participants also gave video feedback;
Thank you
This course has been made possible by a Training Links Grant from The Wheel for a Leadership initiative supported by the Dóchas Small Members Working Group. A Steering Group of members from this Group worked in partnership with the UCD Innovation Academy to help create a course, criteria and process for a Leadership Programme tailored to our members.
