WATTLE (Women ATTaining LEadership) Program
The WATTLE (Women ATTaining LEadership) residential program brings together women (cis, trans and gender diverse) identified as potential leaders across the university sector to provide an intensive leadership and networking program that is designed, and run, by academic and professional women in the university sector.
WATTLE was founded by, and continues to be run by, five volunteer women from Swinburne, Griffith, New England and Curtin Universities. Operating since 2018 and now with 16 member universities, WATTLE has an Australia-wide alums network of over 180 senior academic and professional women, comprising DVCs, Deputy PVCs and Directors. Following the program, participants will be invited to join the network.
The academic WATTLE Program is designed for staff at associate professor or professor level who aspire to be in leadership positions including heads of schools or departments, associate deans, chairs of major university committees, directors of research centres or principal investigators on major research projects, and ultimately pro vice-chancellor or deputy vice-chancellor roles. The WATTLE professional program is designed for women in, or aspiring to be in, senior professional staff leadership positions, which involve significant budget and people responsibility for university or faculty-wide service/support divisions or units.
In 2025, Curtin will provide the opportunity for two senior academic (ALD/E) and professional women to attend the 2025 WATTLE Academic and Professional Programs. Curtin’s participation in WATTLE in 2025 is being supported by the Chief People Officer and administrated by the Gender Equity and Inclusion portfolio.
Information about previous WATTLE programs can be obtained from the WATTLE website and LinkedIn. Please contact Elizabeth Baca with questions about the program.
WATTLE Professional Program 2025 – Melbourne, Australia
| Date and time (AEST) | Session |
|---|---|
| Tues 3 June 2025 1–3 pm | Introductory session (online) |
| Mon 16 to Fri 20 June 2025 | Residential Program (face-to-face) |
| Tues 8 July 2025 1–3 pm | Post-program follow-up (online) |
| Tues 5 August 2025 1–2:30 pm | Fellowship session (online) |
WATTLE Academic Program 2025 – Melbourne, Australia
| Date and time (AEST) | Session |
|---|---|
| Tues 11 November 2025 1–3 pm | Introductory session (online) |
| Mon 24 to Fri 28 November 2025 | Residential Program (face-to-face) |
| Tues 9 December 2025 1–3 pm | Post-program follow-up (online) |
| Tues 13 January 2026 1–2:30 pm | Fellowship session (online) |
“The Wattle Program allowed me to stop and focus on where I am, where I want to be (personally and professional) and how I could move forward in achieving my goals (in a safe and kind environment). I got a lot out of each day and will be promoting this program to more women coming up in leadership at my University.”
“The opportunity to connect with like-minded people, and to hear their stories. I found the support provided by the attendees as well as the organisers to be the most valuable part of the program.”
